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

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 yards and tied a career high with four touchdown runs as the 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 opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after aggravating a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

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

Henry accumulated 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Ravens responded on their next series.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He ended the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Win Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense recorded third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.