Ravens Remain in Contention Thanks to Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

The veteran running back ran for a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three scores 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 game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the division title by defeating the Steelers on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game 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 touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers 307-79.

Henry didn’t touch the ball 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 major point of discussion locally all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the end of the half.

The Packers got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak ended and handed the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

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

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from short range just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.