Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back rushed for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs 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 rushing performance moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the most in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Browns win that game, the could capture the division title by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured 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 scores before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the previous week in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore 10-0 in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.

But the Ravens answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down 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 Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon 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 positive run snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. 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 connected on his first six throws 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, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a field goal from short range just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.

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