Baltimore Stay Alive Powered by Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

The veteran running back ran for a year-best 216 yards and tied a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

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

The star running back was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a hot topic locally all week.

The Ravens made sure he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third period.

After a field goal, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their next series.

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

Willis drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, 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 stunned the defense and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

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

The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.

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