The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to clinch an NFL play-off spot for a third consecutive season.
A fast start proved decisive as Houston scored two touchdowns in the opening six minutes. CJ Stroud threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins before finding Jaylin Noel from 43 yards on the next drive, giving the Texans a 14-0 lead.
The win kept Houston in contention for the AFC South title and eliminated the Indianapolis Colts from play-off qualification. The result also confirmed the Denver Broncos as AFC West champions, with the Chargers already assured of a post-season berth.
Los Angeles responded through a Cameron Dicker field goal but missed a chance to close the gap further before half-time when the kicker failed from 32 yards. After the break, the Chargers improved, with Oronde Gadsden scoring late in the third quarter.
Two Ka’imi Fairbairn field goals restored Houston’s control before rookie Omarion Hampton’s rushing touchdown made it a four-point game late on. Dicker then missed the extra point, sealing the Texans’ victory. Houston will host the Colts in the final regular-season game, while the Chargers travel to Denver.
Henry Stars as Ravens Beat Packers
In the late game, Derrick Henry delivered a dominant performance as the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Green Bay Packers 41-24 at Lambeau Field.
Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns, recording his seventh career 200-yard game, an NFL record, according to league data. Baltimore remain in play-off contention and could face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North title in the final week, depending on other results.
The Ravens took early control with Henry scoring twice in the first half, while Green Bay stayed in touch through Malik Willis, who threw and ran for touchdowns. Baltimore led 27-14 at the interval.
Green Bay narrowed the gap after half-time, but Tyler Huntley’s touchdown pass to Zay Flowers and Henry’s fourth rushing score put the game beyond doubt in the final quarter.
The loss confirmed the Packers as the NFC’s seventh seed and ensured the Chicago Bears would finish as NFC North champions.
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