Ravens Remain in Contention Powered by Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a personal record.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the previous week in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

He totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the Packers 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.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

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

Houston Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Victory Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

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 four-game winning streak snapped and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

An interception of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores.

The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.