Ravens Ride Derrick Henry’s Four Touchdowns to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive; Ravens Still Need the Steelers to Lose on Sunday
USA NEWS TODAY : GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Baltimore Ravens’ season was on the brink going into Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. With their superstar quarterback sidelined and their postseason probability cratering, they needed a hero at Lambeau Field to keep their playoff chances alive.
Derrick Henry was called upon to carry the load, and he delivered a performance that didn’t just save a season—it rewrote the NFL record books.
In a physical, throwback battle in the freezing Wisconsin air, the veteran running back powered Baltimore to a 41-24 victory over the Packers. Henry finished with a career-high 36 carries for 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns, anchoring a Baltimore Ravens score that was as dominant as it was necessary.
The King Rules Lambeau
The star running back, often referred to as “The King,” got the ball early and often. He scored three touchdowns in the first half—all on the ground—shredding the Green Bay defense. He started with a 3-yard score in the first quarter and followed it with a 1-yard plunge and another 3-yard score in the second.
Henry’s fourth touchdown was the exclamation point. With Baltimore hanging on to a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the veteran delivered the dagger on a 25-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining.
With this performance, Henry achieved several historic milestones:
- Most 200-Yard Games: Henry now has 7 career games with 200+ rushing yards, surpassing NFL legends Adrian Peterson and O.J. Simpson, who each had six.
- Touchdown Royalty: His four scores moved him to 122 career rushing touchdowns, passing Peterson for the fourth-most in league history.
- Top 10 All-Time: Henry officially entered the top 10 for career rushing yards, passing Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett.
LSU vs. Houston: A Backup Quarterback Duel
Much like the LSU vs. Houston Texas Bowl matchup happening simultaneously, this NFL clash was defined by a battle of the backups.
The Ravens were without the leader of their offense, Lamar Jackson, who was inactive due to a back contusion. Questions about Lamar Jackson’s inability to stay healthy had dominated the week’s headlines, but Tyler Huntley subbed in and played with remarkable efficiency. Huntley was 16-of-20 for 107 passing yards and added 60 yards on the ground. His most “clutch” moment came on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter, extending the Ravens score to a two-possession lead.
On the other side, the Packers were missing their own star, Jordan Love (concussion/shoulder). Malik Willis got the start and, for much of the game, looked like he might play spoiler. Willis finished with 288 passing yards, one touchdown pass, and two rushing touchdowns. However, the Green Bay injury bug struck again when Willis suffered a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter. He was replaced by Clayton Tune, whose first pass was intercepted by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
Green Bay Packers Injury Report & Key Stats
The Green Bay Packers injury report was a significant factor in the outcome. Beyond Love, the team missed RT Zach Tom (knee/back), which left Willis under constant pressure from the Ravens’ front. During the game, the packer injuries continued to pile up:
- Malik Willis: Exited in the 4th quarter (Shoulder).
- Zayne Anderson: Injured on the opening kickoff (Ankle).
Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers Stats (Notable Performers): | Player | Team | Stats | | :— | :— | :— | | Derrick Henry | BAL | 36 carries, 216 yards, 4 TDs | | Malik Willis | GB | 18/21, 288 yards, 1 TD; 60 rush yards, 2 TDs | | Christian Watson | GB | 5 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD | | Tyler Huntley | BAL | 16/20, 107 yards, 1 TD; 60 rush yards | | Mark Andrews | BAL | 3 catches, 34 yards |
Are the Ravens in the Playoffs?
The question on every fan’s mind: Are the Ravens out of the playoffs? Not yet.
Despite the win, Baltimore (8-8) still does not control its own destiny. Ravens playoffs hopes hinge entirely on what happens in Cleveland tomorrow. Baltimore still needs the Steelers to lose to the Browns on Sunday.
- Scenario A: If the Steelers lose to the Browns, Week 18 becomes a “win-and-in” divisional title game for Baltimore.
- Scenario B: If the Steelers win or tie, the Ravens are out of the playoffs.
For the Packer faithful, the loss officially cedes the NFC North title to the Chicago Bears. Green Bay is now locked into the NFC’s No. 7 seed, regardless of their Week 18 result against the Vikings.
Where to Watch and Broadcast Info
The game was a Peacock exclusive, featuring a broadcast team led by Noah Eagle. Who is Noah Eagle? The rising star play-by-play man joined analyst Todd Blackledge and reporter Kathryn Tappen for the Saturday night special. Fans asking “where can i watch the ravens game” or “how can i watch the packers game today” were directed to the streaming platform, while local fans in Baltimore and Green Bay had access via WBAL and NBC26.
Final Takeaways
The Baltimore Ravens score of 41 points was their highest since October, a testament to the “ground and pound” philosophy they embraced with derrick.henry. While stars like Kyle Hamilton and Luke Musgrave had quiet nights by their standards, the game belonged to the veterans.
The Ravens did their part. They went into Lambeau, survived the gb vs ravens slugfest, and kept their season alive. Now, they wait.
“We did what we had to do,” Henry said after the game. “Now we just have to hope the football gods are on our side tomorrow.”
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