Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by beating the 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 career 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a personal record.

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 extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the could win the AFC North by defeating the Steelers on the road next week.

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

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury 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 featured only one punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after aggravating a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

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

Green Bay got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.

But the Ravens answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

Willis drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

The LA were stopped on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

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

The Houston specialist made kicks from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.