Baltimore Remain in Contention Powered by Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Secure Postseason Spot

The veteran running back ran for a year-best 216 yards and equaled a personal best with four touchdown runs as the Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by defeating 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 dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh 200-yard game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.

His 36 carries represented a personal record.

The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must hope the division-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win the division title by defeating the Steelers on the road next week.

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

Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love 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 saw only one punt.

Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.

The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.

Henry didn’t touch the ball in Baltimore’s 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 Ravens made sure he touched the rock frequently from the outset. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.

Henry accumulated 15 rushes in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added another three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.

Green Bay made it competitive by outplaying the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.

After a field goal, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to a three-point game.

But the Baltimore squad answered on their next series.

Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.

The Packers' quarterback led the Packers into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.

Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers

The Texans' quarterback connected on two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure 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 Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their positive run snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.

Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the next drive.

Stroud connected on 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 forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.

The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.

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

The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.

The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from short range just before halftime and later missed an PAT attempt on the last possession after a score.

The Texans' kicker made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.