Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Henry’s Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot

The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 rushing yards and tied a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more 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 highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the AFC North by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB deals with 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 featured only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the previous week in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball early and often. His powerful running allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

He totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with scores. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

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

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 Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs set up a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.

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

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another interception did not yield any scores.

The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.