Baltimore Stay Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Packers by a score of 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 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago 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 the Ravens' star QB deals with 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.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 carries in the team's first two series and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another short TD run just before the end of the half.

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

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

But the Ravens 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 key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to his receiver.

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

Houston Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Victory 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 defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.

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

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

The Chargers' quarterback, competing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

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

The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.