Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

The veteran running back rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore 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 run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

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

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

Both teams were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that featured only one punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 carries in the team's first two series and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another short TD run just before the end of the half.

The Packers made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Ravens responded on their next series.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on Houston’s first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure 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 ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

Stroud connected on his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers 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 early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

The LA were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the win.