Ravens Remain in Contention Thanks to Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry accumulated a year-best 216 yards and tied a personal best with four rushing scores as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard game overtook two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a personal record.

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

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

Both squads were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens 10-0 in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

The Texans (11-5) extended their winning streak to eight games, their best run in several seasons.

The Chargers (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 Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass 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 key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on multiple early drives.

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

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

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

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker converted field goals from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.