Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Performance, Texans Secure Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, 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 Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only one punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 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 Green Bay by a wide margin.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. 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 put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

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

After a three-pointer, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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 snapped 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 hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were held to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

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

The LA were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

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

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.