Ravens Stay Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 carries constituted a personal record.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the AFC North-leading Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 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 outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s 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 coaching staff ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in Baltimore’s first two series and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the defense forced the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their next series.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to his receiver.

Willis led the Packers into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak snapped and handed the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

An interception of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.