Baltimore Remain in Contention Behind Henry’s Four-Touchdown Performance, Texans Clinch Playoff Berth
The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 rushing yards and tied a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by toppling the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night.
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 career 200-yard game moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the most in league history.
His 36 carries represented a career high.
The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the division title by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.
Both teams were missing their first-string QBs as the Ravens' star QB 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 Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that featured only one punt.
Willis 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 re-injuring a shoulder injury. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.
The deciding factor in the matchup was the Packers' failure to slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.
Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' final two series the week before in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion locally all week.
The Ravens made sure he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.
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 end of the half.
Green Bay made it competitive by outscoring Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.
After a field goal, the defense forced the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.
But the Ravens responded on their next series.
Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third down play. He ended the third quarter with a long run. Those key runs set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.
Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an pick on his first attempt.
Houston Texans Lock Up Playoff Spot With Win Over Los Angeles
CJ Stroud threw for a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.
The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.
The Chargers (11-5) had their positive run ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.
Stroud’s two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later threw a deep scoring pass on the next drive.
He connected on his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 yards.
Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were forced to three-and-out on multiple early drives.
The Chargers' quarterback, competing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions.
An early pick of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway did not yield any points.
The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass bounce away, leading to the turnover.
The Chargers' kicker missed a field goal from close distance just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.
The Houston specialist made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the victory.
