Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Performance, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 carries constituted a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

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

Both squads were missing their starting quarterbacks 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 – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that featured only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in 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 exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens made sure he touched the rock early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

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

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 27-24.

But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

Willis drove the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an pick on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Victory Over Los Angeles

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

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

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

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

An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another interception failed to produce any scores.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker missed a field goal from short range just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.