Baltimore Stay Alive Behind Henry’s Quadruple-TD Performance, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

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

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game overtook two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a career high.

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

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

Both squads were missing their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that featured only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

He accumulated 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

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

After a field goal, the Packers elicited the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He ended the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (11-5) extended their winning streak to eight games, their longest such streak in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

He connected on his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 yards.

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.

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

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from short range just before the break and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.