Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Outburst, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three scores in the first half and then scored again 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 league history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs 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 backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only a single punt.

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

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers 307-79.

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

The Ravens ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with scores. He tacked on another short TD run just before the end of the half.

The Packers got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore 10-0 in the third period.

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

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, 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 extended their winning streak to eight games, their best run in several seasons.

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

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

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