Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

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 staved off elimination by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry 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 rushing performance moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries marked a personal record.

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

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

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 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 injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

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

Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.

After a field goal, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their next series.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Win Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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 four-game winning streak snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced 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, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

An interception of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a three points 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 intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the win.