Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry accumulated a year-best 216 rushing yards and matched a personal best with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts represented 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 extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.

Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s 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 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The difference in the matchup was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay 307-79.

The star running back 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 locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry totaled 15 rushes in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the Packers elicited the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Win Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, 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 pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the following possession.

Stroud completed his first six attempts of the game. He finished with 244 yards.

Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

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

An interception of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the last possession after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.