Baltimore Stay Alive Powered by Henry’s Quadruple-TD Outburst, Houston Clinch Postseason Spot
Derrick Henry accumulated a year-best 216 yards and equaled a career high with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by beating the Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday night.
The powerful back had three scores in the first half and then found the end zone once more on a 25-yard dash with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance overtook 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 fall at Cleveland on Sunday. A Pittsburgh win in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens the division title by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 dropped their third consecutive game, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the NFC North title. The Green Bay had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.
Both squads 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 league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a game 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 ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after aggravating a shoulder issue. The Ravens' backup was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.
The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to slow down Henry, who helped the Ravens outgain on the ground the Packers 307-79.
Henry didn’t touch the ball 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 got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance allowed the offense to put points on the board on their initial five drives and build a 27-14 halftime lead.
He accumulated 15 carries in Baltimore’s first two series and capped each of them with scores. He added another short TD run just before the end of the half.
The Packers made it competitive by outplaying Baltimore ten to nothing in the third period.
After a field goal, the Packers elicited the first punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game.
But the Ravens responded on their next series.
The workhorse back ran for a key gain on a third down play. He ended the third quarter with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from Huntley to his receiver.
Willis drove the offense into Ravens' land before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his first attempt.
Houston Texans Secure Playoff Spot With Victory Over Los Angeles
The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on the team's opening possessions, and the Houston went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch 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 four-game winning streak snapped and ceded the division crown to their rivals.
The young QB's pair of quick strikes stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his initial throw of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession.
He completed his first six throws of the game. He finished with 244 yards.
Houston’s defense recorded third-down sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were held to three-and-out on multiple early drives.
The LA signal-caller, competing with a hand injury, was brought down on five occasions.
An interception of Stroud in the first half only produced a three points for the Chargers. Another interception failed to produce any scores.
The LA were stopped on the goal line by a key defensive play. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.
The Chargers' kicker missed a kick from close distance just before the break and later pushed wide an extra point 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.
