Baltimore Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Powered by Derrick Henry's Four Scores Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot
The veteran running back accumulated a year-best 216 yards and matched a career high with four TDs on the ground 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 opening two quarters and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard run with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.
His 36 carries represented a personal record.
The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the division-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the AFC North by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the NFC North title. 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 is sidelined by a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both productive in a game that featured only a single punt.
The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.
The difference in the game was the Packers' failure to slow down Derrick 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 proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic around Baltimore all week.
The Ravens made sure he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their initial five drives and take a 27-14 halftime lead.
Henry accumulated 15 carries in the team's first two series and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on a further short TD run just before the second quarter ended.
The Packers got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore 10-0 in the third period.
After a field goal, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to make it 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 period with a long run. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to Zay Flowers.
Willis drove the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His replacement threw an interception on his first attempt.
Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Win Over Los Angeles
The Texans' quarterback connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Texans went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.
The Texans (11-5) extended their winning streak to eight games, 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.
The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the following possession.
Stroud connected on his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 yards.
Houston’s defense forced third-down sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Chargers were forced to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.
The LA signal-caller, competing with a broken hand, was brought down on five occasions.
An early pick of Stroud in the second quarter only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores.
The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. 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 last possession after a score.
The Houston specialist made field goals from 41 and 44 yards to contribute to the win.
