🔗 Share this article Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening. The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history. His 36 carries constituted a career high. The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week. The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week. Both squads were without their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only one punt. The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown. The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick 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 veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week. The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead. He totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half. The Packers got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period. After a field goal, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24. But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series. The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers. The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt. Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Chargers The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth. The Houston Texans, now 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 division crown to their rivals. The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive. He completed his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 yards. The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions. The LA signal-caller, playing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions. An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores. The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover. The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown. The Houston specialist converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.
Derrick Henry accumulated a season-high 216 yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening. The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the most in league history. His 36 carries constituted a career high. The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week. The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week. Both squads were without their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only one punt. The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown. The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick 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 veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week. The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead. He totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half. The Packers got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period. After a field goal, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24. But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series. The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He closed the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers. The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his first attempt. Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Chargers The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third consecutive playoff berth. The Houston Texans, now 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 division crown to their rivals. The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive. He completed his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 yards. The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions. The LA signal-caller, playing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions. An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores. The LA were stopped on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover. The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a late touchdown. The Houston specialist converted field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.