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

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 yards and tied a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three scores 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 rushing performance overtook two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 carries constituted a career high.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Green Bay had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest 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 exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability 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 Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. 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 rushes in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their next series.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the period with a long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Win Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

He completed his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 yards.

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

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

An interception of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker missed a field goal from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker made kicks from beyond 40 yards to help secure the win.