Baltimore Stay Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Texans Clinch Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and tied a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.

Henry 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 career 200-yard game surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the division-leading Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. 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 dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the division crown. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only a single punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers 307-79.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 carries in the team's first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.

After a field goal, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Ravens answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the period with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

Willis led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 extended their winning streak to eight games, their best run in several seasons.

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

The young QB's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

He completed his first six throws 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 quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions.

An early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any points.

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a kick from short range just before the break and later missed 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.