Derrick Henry's virtuoso performance helps Ravens stay alive with 41-24 win over Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 yards and matched a career high with four touchdown runs as the Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating the Green Bay Packers 41-24 on Saturday night. Henry had three touchdown runs in the first half and then scored again on a 25-yard run with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance moved him ahead of Adrian Peterson and O.J. Simpson for the most in NFL history. His 36 carries represented a career high.
Texans clinch third consecutive playoff berth with 20-16 win over Chargers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw two long touchdowns on Houston's first two drives, leading the Texans to a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. This win clinched a third consecutive playoff berth for the Texans for the first time in franchise history. The Texans improved to 11-5 and have won eight in a row. It's their longest winning streak since 2018. The Chargers fell to 11-5 and had their four-game winning streak snapped. The loss handed the AFC West title to first-place Denver. The Chargers have the best kicker in the NFL, but Cameron Dicker missed a 32-yard field goal and a point after attempt.
Ravens rule Lamar Jackson out for Saturday night's must-win game at Green Bay
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t play Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers due to the back injury that knocked him out of a loss to the New England Patriots last weekend. The Ravens listed Jackson among their inactive players for Saturday’s must-win game. The two-time MVP hadn’t practiced all week and was listed as doubtful on the Ravens’ Thursday injury report. This means neither team will have its starting quarterback available. The Packers announced Friday that Jordan Love wouldn't be available. Love has been in concussion protocol since absorbing a helmet-to-helmet hit in a loss at Chicago last weekend
Ravens stay alive, Texans secure a playoff spot, Bears and Broncos clinch division titles
The Bears clinched the NFC North title when the Ravens beat the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night. A year after going 5-12, Chicago is 11-4 under rookie coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Baltimore (8-8) stayed alive in the AFC playoff race with the victory. Earlier Saturday, the Texans secured a third straight playoff berth under coach DeMeco Ryans with a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans eliminated Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) in the process and stayed in the race for a third consecutive AFC South title. The loss by the Chargers (11-5) allowed Denver (13-4) to clinch a division that was owned by the Kansas City Chiefs for the past nine seasons.
Raiders place Maxx Crosby on injured reserve, ending his season
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Maxx Crosby's season is over after the Las Vegas Raiders place him on injured reserve because of a knee injury. The decision means he won't play in the final two games against the New York Giants and Kansas City. The Raiders said the move is in the best interest of both the team and Crosby. Coach Pete Carroll praised Crosby's competitiveness. The Raiders, with a 2-13 record, are in rebuild mode, also sidelining tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn. Crosby, a top pass rusher, has 10 sacks this season and remains focused on winning, despite speculation about his future with the team.
Antetokounmpo scores 29 for Bucks against Bulls after missing 8 games with calf strain
CHICAGO (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo returned Saturday night from the right calf strain that has kept the two-time MVP from playing in the Milwaukee Bucks’ previous eight games. Antetokounmpo was in the starting lineup for the Bucks’ game against the Chicago Bulls, after the team originally listing him as questionable on the injury report. The two-time MVP scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-103 victory over Chicago. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since injuring his calf on Dec. 3.
No. 20 Virginia notches first 11-win season by beating 25th-ranked Missouri in the Gator Bowl
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Harrison Waylee ran for a touchdown, Chandler Morris threw for 198 yards and No. 20 Virginia edged 25th-ranked Missouri 13-7 in the Gator Bowl on Saturday night. The Cavaliers bounced back from a crushing loss to Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game — an overtime stunner that cost them a spot in the College Football Playoff — and reached 11 wins for the first time in the program’s 122 years. Missouri All-American Ahmad Hardy ran 15 times for 89 yards. He broke Missouri’s single-season school record set by Cody Schrader (1,627 yards) in 2023 but didn’t do enough to spark Missouri’s offense.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Suns center Mark Williams ejected after fight
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams and New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado were ejected after getting into a fight in the third quarter Saturday night. The 7-foot-1 Williams and 6-foot Alvarado exchanged punches following a foul call on Alvarado as he tried to fight through a screen set by Williams. Phoenix won 123-114 for a two-game sweep of a back-to-back set between the teams in New Orleans.
Grunkemeyer throws two TDs as Penn State beats Clemson 22-10 in Pinstripe Bowl
NEW YORK (AP) — Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for a career-high 262 yards and two TDs, including a 73-yard strike to Trebor Pena early in the fourth quarter, and Penn State beat Clemson 22-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl. In his seventh start since Penn State lost Drew Allar to an injury, Grunkemeyer completed 23 of 34 passes, setting career bests for completions and attempts. His best throw was to Pena, who caught the ball at the Penn State 44, ran by Clemson safety Ricardo Jones and rumbled untouched down the left side for a 15-3 lead with 12:51 left in the fourth.
East Carolina takes advantage of 5 Pittsburgh turnovers, wins 23-17 in the Military Bowl
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Chaston Ditta threw two second-half touchdown passes, and East Carolina overcame an inadvertent whistle that negated a long touchdown in a 23-17 victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl. Marlon Gunn Jr.'s touchdown was called back because of the whistle, and two plays later, Ditta fumbled on a sack by Pitt’s Rasheem Biles, who recovered the ball and returned it 23 yards to the end zone to give the Panthers a 14-10 lead. The Pirates rebounded quickly when Ditta threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Smith, and ECU led the rest of the way.
