Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the 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 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish 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, enabling the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only one punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a major point of discussion locally all week.

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

He accumulated 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

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

After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 27-24.

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 long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

Willis drove the offense into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (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 ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

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

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.