Ravens Stay Alive Powered by Henry’s Four Scores Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and tied a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a personal record.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only one punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s last two possessions the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock early and often. Henry’s dominance enabled the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 carries in the team's first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens 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 score to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth With Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to secure 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 positive run snapped and ceded the AFC West title 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 receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

He completed his first six attempts of the game. He finished with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

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