Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Henry’s Four-Touchdown Performance, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back rushed for a year-best 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four rushing scores as the Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game overtook two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating 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 playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s 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 around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

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

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

After a field goal, the Packers elicited the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

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 snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.

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

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

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

The placekicker missed a field goal from close distance just before the break and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.