Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Clinch Playoff Berth
The veteran running back rushed for a year-best 216 yards and matched a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.
The powerful back had three scores in the opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in league history.
His 36 rushing attempts represented a personal record.
The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the could win the division title by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
Green Bay (9-6-1) dropped their third consecutive game, enabling the Bears to clinch the division crown. The Packers had previously secured a playoff berth earlier in the week.
Both teams were without their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB deals with a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that featured only a single punt.
The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 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 issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.
The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay 307-79.
Henry was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.
The Ravens ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to score on their initial five drives and take a 27-14 halftime lead.
Henry totaled 15 carries in Baltimore’s first two series and finished each of them with scores. He tacked on a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.
The Packers got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.
After a field goal, the defense elicited 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 Baltimore squad answered on their next series.
The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a long run. Those key runs set up a scoring strike from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.
The Packers' quarterback drove the Packers into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.
Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Chargers
CJ Stroud connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Houston 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 won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.
The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and handed the division crown to their rivals.
The young QB's two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the following possession.
Stroud connected on his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 yards.
Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.
The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.
An early pick of Stroud in the first half only produced a field goal for the offense. Another interception did not yield any points.
The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.
The Chargers' kicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.
The Texans' kicker converted kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the win.
