Baltimore Remain in Contention Thanks to Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 yards and matched a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry had three scores in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the most in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a career high.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB deals with 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 a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to stop Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers by a wide margin.

The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The Ravens made sure he got the ball frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

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

But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.

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 Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback led the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Victory Over Chargers

CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.

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

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

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

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the offense. Another interception did not yield any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, 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 score.

The Houston specialist made field goals from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the victory.