Baltimore Stay Alive Behind Henry’s Quadruple-TD Performance, Texans Secure Playoff Berth
The veteran running back accumulated a season-high 216 yards and tied a personal best with four rushing scores as the Baltimore Ravens remained in the postseason hunt by toppling the Green Bay Packers by a score of 41-24 on Saturday evening.
The powerful back had three scores in the opening two quarters and then scored again on a 25-yard dash with under two minutes remaining in the game. His seventh career 200-yard game surpassed two legendary runners for the highest total in NFL history.
His 36 rushing attempts marked a career high.
The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers fall at the Browns on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish the Ravens' postseason dreams. If the Cleveland win that game, the could capture the AFC North by beating the Steelers on the road next week.
The Packers, falling to 9-6-1 lost their third straight, enabling the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers had already clinched a postseason spot earlier in the week.
Both squads were missing their first-string QBs as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while the Packers' signal-caller is in the league's head injury program. The two replacement starters – Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both effective in a contest that saw only one punt.
The Packers' fill-in went 18-for-21 for a career-high 288 yards and a TD pass, and he also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after aggravating a shoulder issue. Huntley was 16-for-20 for 107 yards with a scoring pass.
The deciding factor in the matchup was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Baltimore outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.
The star running back was not utilized in Baltimore’s final two series the previous week in a narrow defeat. The proven rusher's lack of fourth-quarter usage was a hot topic locally all week.
The coaching staff ensured he got the ball frequently from the outset. His powerful running allowed the offense to put points on the board on their first five possessions and build a 13-point lead at the break.
He accumulated 15 carries in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He added another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.
The Packers made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.
After a field goal, the defense elicited the first punt of the night. The QB then scrambled 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 key gain on a third down play. He closed the third quarter with a long run. Those two plays set up a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.
Willis led the offense into Baltimore territory before hurting his shoulder and departing for the sideline. His backup threw an interception on his only pass.
Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth With Victory Over Chargers
CJ Stroud connected on a pair of deep scores on the team's first two drives, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday afternoon to secure a third straight postseason appearance.
The Texans (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 ended and handed the AFC West title to their rivals.
Stroud’s two explosive TDs shocked the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead. On his first pass of the game, he found a receiver for a long touchdown. He later tossed a 43-yard TD on the following possession.
Stroud completed his first six attempts of the game. He ended the day with 244 yards.
Houston’s defense recorded key sacks on the opponent's first two possessions. The Los Angeles offense were forced to quick punts on multiple early drives.
The LA signal-caller, playing with a broken hand, was sacked five times.
An interception of the Texans' QB in the first half only resulted in a field goal for the Chargers. Another interception did not yield any points.
The Chargers were denied on the one-yard line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the ball pop off his hands, leading to the turnover.
The placekicker failed to convert a field goal from short range just before halftime and later missed an extra point on the last possession after a score.
The Houston specialist converted field goals from beyond 40 yards to help secure the victory.