Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 rushing yards and matched 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 evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs 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 surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history.

His 36 carries marked a personal record.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the division title by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only one punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers got back into the game by outplaying the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a three-pointer, the defense forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He ended the period with a long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

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 Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud threw for two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver 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 finished with 244 yards.

The Texans' defensive unit forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a field goal for the offense. Another interception did not yield any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver 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 PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Houston specialist converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.