Ravens Stay Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 216 yards and equaled a career high with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in league history.

His 36 carries marked a personal record.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Green Bay had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that saw only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the previous week in a costly loss. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage 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 put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 rushes 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 end of the half.

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

After a field goal, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to cut the deficit to 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 ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those two plays set up a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his first attempt.

Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Victory Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback 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 afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.

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

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB'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 receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

Stroud connected on his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Chargers were held to quick punts on multiple early drives.

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

An interception of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any scores.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker missed a field goal from short range just before the break and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.