Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Performance, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot

The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 yards and tied a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance overtook two legendary runners for the most in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens 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 Chicago Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

The star running back was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

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

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch 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 positive run snapped and handed 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 first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out 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 first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.