Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Texans Secure Playoff Berth

The veteran running back ran for a season-high 216 rushing yards and tied a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters 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 Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries constituted a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week.

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

Both squads were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only one punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran 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 deciding factor in the matchup was the Packers' failure to contain Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s first two series and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

Willis drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns 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 Texans (11-5) extended their winning streak to eight games, their best run in several seasons.

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak snapped and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

Stroud’s pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

He completed his first six attempts of the game. He finished with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

An early pick of Stroud in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another interception failed to produce any scores.

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.