Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Thanks to Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in league history.

His 36 carries represented a career high.

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

The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that featured only a single punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.

The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to contain Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers 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 lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.

The coaching staff made sure he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their first five possessions and take a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore 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 cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Ravens answered on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a scoring strike from Huntley to his receiver.

Willis led the offense into Baltimore territory before injuring his shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.

Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Houston went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.

The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.

The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’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 threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.

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

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

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

An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.

The Chargers were denied on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.

The Chargers' kicker missed a field goal from short range just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.

The Houston specialist made kicks from beyond 40 yards to help secure the win.