🔗 Share this article Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Performance, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth Derrick Henry rushed for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night. The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson 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 Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the could win the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week. Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week. Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only a single punt. Willis went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating 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 slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay 307-79. Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week. The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead. Henry totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half. Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying the Ravens 10-0 in the third period. After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24. But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive. Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver. Willis drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his only pass. Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third straight postseason appearance. The Texans (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 AFC West title to their rivals. Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive. Stroud connected on his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 passing yards. The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives. The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times. An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in 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 pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession. The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a score. The Houston specialist made kicks from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.
Derrick Henry rushed for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night. The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson 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 Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the could win the division title by beating the Steelers on the road next week. Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week. Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only a single punt. Willis went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating 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 slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay 307-79. Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week. The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead. Henry totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half. Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying the Ravens 10-0 in the third period. After a three-pointer, the Packers forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24. But the Baltimore squad responded on their ensuing drive. Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver. Willis drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his only pass. Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third straight postseason appearance. The Texans (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 AFC West title to their rivals. Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the next drive. Stroud connected on his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 passing yards. The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives. The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times. An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in 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 pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession. The Chargers' kicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a score. The Houston specialist made kicks from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.