🔗 Share this article Ravens Remain in Contention Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and tied a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night. The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history. His 36 carries marked a career high. The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week. Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week. Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s 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 rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown. The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Packers 307-79. Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week. The Ravens made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead. Henry totaled 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended. The Packers got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period. After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game. But the Ravens answered on their next series. Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers. Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt. Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth. The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons. The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run ended and handed the AFC West title to their rivals. Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later threw 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. The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions. The LA signal-caller, competing with a broken hand, was sacked five times. An early pick of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another interception did not yield any points. The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession. The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown. The Houston specialist made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.
Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and tied a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night. The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history. His 36 carries marked a career high. The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week. Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week. Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s 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 rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown. The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Packers 307-79. Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week. The Ravens made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead. Henry totaled 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended. The Packers got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period. After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game. But the Ravens answered on their next series. Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from Huntley to Zay Flowers. Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt. Houston Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth. The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons. The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run ended and handed the AFC West title to their rivals. Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a long touchdown. He later threw 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. The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions. The LA signal-caller, competing with a broken hand, was sacked five times. An early pick of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the offense. Another interception did not yield any points. The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession. The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown. The Houston specialist made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.