Ravens Stay Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Secure Postseason Spot
Derrick Henry accumulated a year-best 216 rushing yards and tied a personal best with four rushing scores as the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.
Henry had three scores in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard rushing performance surpassed Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in NFL history.
His 36 carries constituted a career high.
The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Cleveland win that game, the Ravens the AFC North by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, enabling the Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay 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 Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only a single punt.
The Packers' fill-in went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 passing yards and one touchdown, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.
The deciding factor in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outgain on the ground the Green Bay 307-79.
Henry was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the week before in a costly loss. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.
The coaching staff ensured he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running enabled the Ravens to put points on the board on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead.
Henry accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s opening two drives and finished each of them with touchdown runs. He added another short TD run just before the end of the half.
The Packers made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.
After a three-pointer, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then ran for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.
But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.
Henry ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He ended the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.
The Packers' quarterback led the offense into Baltimore territory before injuring his shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.
Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot After Victory Over Los Angeles
The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on the team's first two drives, and the Houston went on to beat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure a third consecutive playoff berth.
The Houston Texans, now 11-5 won their eighth in a row, their best run in several seasons.
The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak snapped and handed the division crown to their rivals.
Stroud’s two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.
Stroud completed his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 passing yards.
Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the opponent's opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.
The Chargers' quarterback, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.
An early pick of the Texans' QB in the second quarter only resulted in a three points for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any scores.
The Chargers were stopped on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The target 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 missed an extra point on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.
The Houston specialist made field goals from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.
