Baltimore Stay Alive Powered by Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth

The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by toppling the Packers 41-24 on Saturday evening.

The powerful back had three touchdown runs in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries marked a personal record.

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

Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Chicago Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.

Both squads were without their starting quarterbacks as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that featured only one punt.

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

The difference in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.

The Ravens ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

He accumulated 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

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

After a field goal, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-24.

But the Baltimore squad responded on their next series.

The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from Huntley to his receiver.

Willis drove the Packers into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Victory Over Los Angeles

CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third straight postseason appearance.

The Houston Texans, now 11-5 extended their winning streak to eight games, their longest such streak in several seasons.

The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a two-score advantage. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive.

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

Houston’s defense recorded third-down sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.

The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.

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

The LA were denied on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the change of possession.

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

The Texans' kicker converted kicks from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.