Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Henry’s Four Scores Outburst, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

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

The powerful back had three scores in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history.

His 36 carries marked a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers 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 Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only a single punt.

Willis 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 aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.

The Ravens made sure he got the ball frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to score on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 carries in the team's first two series and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the Packers elicited 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 Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth 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 defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to clinch 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 AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the defense 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 completed his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.