Ravens Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Behind Derrick Henry's Four-Touchdown Outburst, Houston Secure Postseason Spot
Derrick Henry ran for a year-best 216 rushing yards and matched a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.
The powerful back had three scores in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the highest total in league history.
His 36 carries constituted a personal record.
The Baltimore Ravens, now 8-8 now must rely on the division-leading Steelers lose at the Browns on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Browns win that game, the could capture the AFC North by defeating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Green Bay had previously secured a postseason spot earlier in the week.
Both squads were without their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back issue while the Packers' signal-caller is in the concussion protocol. The two replacement starters – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis – were both effective in a game that saw only a single punt.
Willis went 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after re-injuring 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 slow down Derrick Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Packers by a wide margin.
Henry didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a narrow defeat. The veteran running back’s lack of fourth-quarter usage was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.
The Ravens ensured he touched the rock early and often. His powerful running allowed the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 13-point lead at the break.
Henry totaled 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with scores. He tacked on a further three-yard touchdown just before the end of the half.
Green Bay got back into the game by outplaying Baltimore 10-0 in the third quarter.
After a field goal, the defense forced the first punt of the night. The QB then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.
But the Baltimore squad answered on their ensuing drive.
The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third-and-5. He closed the period with a long run. Those two plays paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to his receiver.
Willis led the offense into Ravens' land before hurting his throwing shoulder and heading to the locker room. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.
Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Victory Over Chargers
The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives, and the Houston went on to defeat the Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to secure 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 ended and ceded the division crown to their rivals.
Stroud’s pair of quick strikes stunned the Chargers and gave the Texans a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the next drive.
He completed his first six throws of the game. He ended the day with 244 yards.
Houston’s defense forced key sacks on the Chargers’ opening drives. The Los Angeles offense were forced to three-and-out 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 the Texans' QB in the second quarter only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.
The LA were stopped on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball bounce away, leading to the turnover.
The placekicker missed a kick from short range just before halftime and later pushed wide an PAT attempt on the team’s final drive after a late touchdown.
The Houston specialist made field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.
