Baltimore Remain in Contention Powered by Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth

Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.

The powerful back had three scores 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 surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 rushing attempts marked a career high.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by defeating the Steelers 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 previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson 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 game that featured only one punt.

Willis went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after re-injuring a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.

Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.

The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the offense to score on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 rushes in the team's first two series and capped each of them with scores. He tacked on another three-yard touchdown just before the second quarter ended.

Green Bay got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third quarter.

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

But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.

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 paved the way for a scoring strike from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback drove the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Win Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.

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.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the defense and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he found a wideout for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

He completed his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.

The Texans' defensive unit recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were held to three-and-out on three of their first four possessions.

The LA signal-caller, competing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

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

The Chargers were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.

The placekicker missed a field goal from short range just before the break and later missed an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a score.

The Texans' kicker made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the victory.