Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Secure Playoff Berth

The veteran running back rushed for a year-best 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Green Bay 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 run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the most in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a career high.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores 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 game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens made sure he got the ball early and often. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 13-point lead at the break.

He totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’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 outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

The Chargers' quarterback, competing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.

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