Baltimore Stay Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Four Scores Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and matched a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back 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 game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, enabling the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a playoff berth 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 league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that featured only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran 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 difference in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 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 locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore 10-0 in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Houston Texans, now 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 ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs shocked the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

Stroud completed his first six attempts of the game. He finished with 244 yards.

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An interception of Stroud in the first half only resulted in a three points for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.

The LA were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.