Baltimore Remain in Contention Behind Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

The veteran running back ran for a season-high 216 yards and tied a career high with four rushing scores as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Packers by a score of 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 under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to secure the division crown. 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 the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he got the ball frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 rushes in Baltimore’s first two series and finished each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the end of the half.

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

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to 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 long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run 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 following possession.

He completed his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The Chargers were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist made field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.