Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the highest total in league history.

His 36 rushing attempts 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 the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

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

Both squads were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back issue 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 effective in a game that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 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 injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The Ravens made sure he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added a further three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.

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

But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He ended the period with a long run. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

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

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch 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 four-game winning streak ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

Stroud connected on his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An early pick of Stroud 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 one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

The Houston specialist made kicks from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.