Baltimore Stay Alive Behind Henry’s Four Scores Performance, Houston Secure Playoff Berth
The veteran running back rushed for a season-high 216 rushing yards and equaled a career high with four TDs on the ground as the Baltimore Ravens staved off elimination 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 run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh 200-yard game moved him ahead of two legendary runners for the most in league history.
His 36 carries represented a personal record.
The Ravens (8-8) now must rely on the AFC North-leading Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would extinguish Baltimore’s postseason dreams. If the Browns win that game, the could win the division title by beating the Pittsburgh on the road next week.
Green Bay (9-6-1) lost their third straight, allowing the Chicago Bears to secure the division crown. The Packers had already clinched a playoff berth earlier in the week.
Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks as the Ravens' star QB is sidelined by a back issue while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in the league's head injury program. The two backup quarterbacks – Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis – were both productive in a contest that featured only one punt.
Willis went 18 of 21 for a personal-best 288 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before exiting after aggravating a shoulder injury. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with one touchdown.
The deciding factor in the game was the Packers' failure to slow down Henry, who helped the Ravens outrush the Green Bay by a wide margin.
The star running back didn’t touch the ball in the Ravens' last two possessions the week before in a costly loss. The proven rusher's absence in the final period was a major point of discussion around Baltimore all week.
The coaching staff made sure he got the ball early and often. Henry’s dominance enabled the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and build a 27-14 halftime lead.
He accumulated 15 rushes in the team's opening two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs. He tacked on another short TD run just before the second quarter ended.
Green Bay made it competitive by outscoring the Ravens ten to nothing in the third period.
After a three-pointer, the defense elicited the initial punt of the night. Willis then scrambled for an 11-yard score to make it 27-24.
But the Ravens responded on their ensuing drive.
Henry ran for a key gain on a third down play. He ended the period with a 30-yard burst. Those key runs paved the way for a touchdown pass from the quarterback to Zay Flowers.
The Packers' quarterback drove the offense into Baltimore territory before injuring his throwing shoulder and heading to the sideline. His replacement threw an pick on his only pass.
Houston Texans Secure Postseason Berth After Win Over Los Angeles
The Texans' quarterback threw for two long touchdowns on Houston’s opening possessions, and the Texans went on to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by four points on Saturday afternoon to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.
The Texans (11-5) won their eighth in a row, their longest such streak in several seasons.
The Los Angeles Chargers, also 11-5 had their four-game winning streak ended and ceded the AFC West title to their rivals.
The young QB's pair of quick strikes shocked the defense and gave the Texans a two-score advantage. On his first pass of the game, he hit a receiver for a 75-yard score. He later tossed a deep scoring pass on the following possession.
Stroud connected on his first six attempts of the game. He finished with 244 yards.
The Texans' defensive unit forced key sacks on the Chargers’ first two possessions. The Chargers were held to quick punts on three of their first four possessions.
The LA signal-caller, playing with a hand injury, was sacked five times.
An interception of Stroud in the second quarter only produced a field goal for the offense. Another takeaway failed to produce any points.
The Chargers were stopped on the goal line by a crucial interception. The intended receiver saw the pass pop off his hands, leading to the change of possession.
The placekicker missed a kick 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 converted field goals from beyond 40 yards to contribute to the win.
