Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Henry’s Four-Touchdown Performance, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball early and often. His powerful running enabled the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added a further three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.

But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

Willis drove the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

He connected on his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any scores.

The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.