Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Derrick Henry's Four Scores Outburst, Texans Secure Playoff Berth

The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 rushing yards and tied a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the division title by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.

Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had previously secured 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 backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only one punt.

The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.

The star running back didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead.

He totaled 15 rushes in the team's first two series and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.

The Packers made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third quarter.

After a field goal, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.

The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Victory Over Los Angeles

The Texans' quarterback threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles 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 snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

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

The Texans' defensive unit forced third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.

An interception of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any points.

The LA were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The target saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

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

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.