🔗 Share this article Ravens Remain in Contention Behind Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth The veteran running back rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night. The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history. His 36 carries represented a personal record. The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week. The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week. Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by 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 contest that saw only a single punt. Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown. The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to slow down Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin. Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s last two possessions the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week. The Ravens ensured he got the ball early and often. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead. Henry totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half. The Packers made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter. After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24. But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive. The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver. Willis drove the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass. Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Victory Over Chargers CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance. The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons. The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals. Stroud’s pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession. Stroud connected on his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards. Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions. The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions. An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points. The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover. The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown. The Texans' kicker made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.
The veteran running back rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night. The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history. His 36 carries represented a personal record. The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week. The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week. Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by 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 contest that saw only a single punt. Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown. The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to slow down Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin. Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s last two possessions the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week. The Ravens ensured he got the ball early and often. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead. Henry totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half. The Packers made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter. After a field goal, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24. But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive. The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver. Willis drove the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass. Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Victory Over Chargers CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday to clinch a third straight postseason appearance. The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons. The Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals. Stroud’s pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a wideout for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession. Stroud connected on his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards. Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions. The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions. An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points. The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover. The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown. The Texans' kicker made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.