Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Outburst, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

The veteran running back ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance overtook two legendary runners for the highest total in league history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Browns 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 lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB deals with 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 effective in a game that featured only a single punt.

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

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to contain Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.

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

He accumulated 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.

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

But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the period with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Baltimore territory before hurting his throwing shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. 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 next drive.

He connected on his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 yards.

Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced 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 resulted in a three points for the offense. Another interception did not yield any points.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later missed an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.