Baltimore Stay Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, 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 staved off elimination by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s 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 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to secure the division crown. The Green Bay had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only a single punt.

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

The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s last two possessions the previous week in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further short TD run 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 elicited the initial punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led 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 Secure Playoff Spot With Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

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 division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

Stroud completed his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The Chargers were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a score.

The Houston specialist converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.