Ravens Remain in Contention Powered by Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot
The veteran running back rushed for a year-best 216 rushing yards and equaled a personal best with four TDs on the ground as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Green Bay Packers 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 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance overtook two legendary runners for the highest total in league history.
His 36 carries represented a career high.
The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the division-leading Steelers fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end the Ravens' playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the could win 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 clinch the division crown. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.
Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is sidelined by a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that featured only one punt.
The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 passing yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two scores before exiting after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.
The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to contain Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Packers by a wide margin.
The star running back was not utilized in the Ravens' final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s absence in the final period was a major point of discussion locally all week.
The Ravens ensured he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.
Henry accumulated 15 carries in the team's first two series and finished each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.
The Packers got back into the game by outscoring the Ravens 10-0 in the third period.
After a three-pointer, the Packers elicited the initial punt of the night. The QB then ran for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.
But the Ravens answered on their ensuing drive.
Henry ran for a crucial first down on a third-and-5. He ended the period with a long run. Those two plays set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.
The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his throwing shoulder and departing for the locker room. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.
Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Victory Over Chargers
The Texans' quarterback connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's opening possessions, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third straight postseason appearance.
The Houston Texans, now 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 handed the division crown to their rivals.
Stroud’s two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later threw a 43-yard TD on the following possession.
He connected on his first six attempts of the game. He finished with 244 yards.
The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.
The LA signal-caller, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.
An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only produced a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.
The LA were stopped 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 placekicker failed to convert a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point on the team’s final drive after a score.
The Texans' kicker made kicks from 41 and 44 yards to help secure the win.