Ravens Stay Alive Behind Henry’s Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a year-best 216 yards and tied a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back had three scores in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

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

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

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only a single punt.

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

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

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

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

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

The Packers made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore 10-0 in the third period.

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

But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the Packers into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and handed the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were held 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 the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in a three points for the offense. Another interception failed to produce any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker missed a field goal from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker made field goals from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.