Ravens Stay Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry rushed for a year-best 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the 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 200-yard game overtook two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay 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 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-for-21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, 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 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 didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

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

He accumulated 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.

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

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

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

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

Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Win Over Chargers

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

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs shocked the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a long touchdown. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

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

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

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

The Houston specialist converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.