Ravens Stay Alive Thanks to Henry’s Four-Touchdown Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot

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

Henry had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts constituted a personal record.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both squads 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 replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that saw only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' last two possessions the previous week in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a hot topic locally all week.

The coaching staff ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.

He accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with scores. He added a further short TD run just before the end of the half.

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

After a field goal, the defense forced the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an pick on his first attempt.

Texans Lock Up Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 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 Chargers (11-5) had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

The Chargers' quarterback, competing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another takeaway did not yield any scores.

The LA were stopped on the goal line by a key defensive play. The target saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a kick from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Texans' kicker converted field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the win.