Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four touchdown runs as the Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in league history.

His 36 carries constituted a career high.

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

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

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to contain Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series 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 Ravens made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.

After a three-pointer, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.

But the Ravens answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (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 ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense recorded 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, competing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

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

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later missed an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

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