Baltimore Remain in Contention Powered by Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 carries constituted a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Browns 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 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks 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 backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only one punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after aggravating a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Packers by a wide margin.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he got the ball early and often. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and finished 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 outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

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

But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a long run. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

Willis drove the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Win Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.

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

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An early pick of Stroud in the first half only resulted in a three points for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a score.

The Texans' kicker made field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.