Baltimore Stay Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance overtook two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on 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 capture the division title by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

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

Both squads 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 Malik Willis – were both effective in a game 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 rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers 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. His powerful running allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 carries in the team's first two series and capped each of them with scores. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore 10-0 in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

Willis drove the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, competing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions.

An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

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

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