Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Henry’s Four-Touchdown Outburst, Texans Secure Playoff Berth

The veteran running back ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and tied a career high with four touchdown runs as the Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game overtook two legendary runners for the most in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the AFC North-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury 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 productive in a contest that featured only a single punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and take a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

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

After a three-pointer, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series.

Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He ended the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to secure 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 Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

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

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out 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 the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores.

The Chargers were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Houston specialist converted field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the win.