Baltimore Remain in Contention Powered by Henry’s Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a year-best 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

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

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

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured 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 leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry accumulated 15 carries in the team's first two series and finished each of them with scores. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike 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 first attempt.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

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

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver 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 finished with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An interception of Stroud in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The Chargers were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.