Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a year-best 216 yards and matched a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens staved off elimination by defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry 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 career 200-yard rushing performance surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the division title by defeating the Steelers on the road next week.

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

Both squads were without 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 backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

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

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s last two possessions the previous week 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 got the ball early and often. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the Packers forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Win 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 clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown.

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