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 OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history.
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His 36 carries represented a career high.
The Ravens (8-8) now must hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose at Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens could win the AFC North by beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Jan. 4.
Green Bay (9-6-1) lost its third straight game, allowing the Chicago Bears to clinch the NFC North title. The Packers already clinched a playoff berth on Thursday when the Detroit Lions lost 23-10 at Minnesota.
Both teams were missing their starting quarterbacks, as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson deals with a back injury while Green Bay’s Jordan Love is in concussion protocol. The two backup starters, Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley and Green Bay’s Malik Willis, were effective in a game that featured just one punt.
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Willis was 18 of 21 for a career-high 288 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns before leaving after aggravating a shoulder injury midway through the fourth quarter. Huntley was 16 of 20 for 107 yards with a touchdown.
The difference in the game was Green Bay’s inability to stop Henry, who helped the Ravens outscore the Packers 307-79.
Henry didn’t touch the ball on Baltimore’s final two drives last weekend as the Ravens squandered an 11-point fourth quarter in a 28-24 loss to New England that put their playoff hopes on life support. The veteran running back’s lack of usage in the fourth quarter was a hot topic in Baltimore all week.
The Ravens made sure he got the ball early and often on Saturday. Henry’s dominance allowed the Ravens to score on their first five possessions and take a 27-14 halftime lead over Green Bay, which had not allowed more than 24 points in 14 consecutive home games.
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Henry had 15 carries on Baltimore’s first two drives and capped each of them with touchdown runs, from 3 yards and 1 yard away. He was the first player to have at least 15 carries in his team’s first two drives since Denver’s Olandis Gary against Green Bay in 1999.
He added another 3-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left in the second quarter.
Green Bay got back into the game by outscoring Baltimore 10-0 in the third quarter.
After Brandon McManus kicked a 24-yard field goal, the Packers forced the first punt of the night. Willis then ran down the right end for an 11-yard touchdown to make the score 27-24 with 2:02 left in the third.
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But the Ravens responded on their next drive.
Henry ran for a 9-yard gain on third-and-5 from the Baltimore 20. He closed the third quarter with a 30-yard burst down the right sideline. Those two plays set up Huntley’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers, which came on a third-and-8 play with 10:10 left.
Willis led the Packers into Baltimore territory before injuring his shoulder and heading to the locker room. Clayton Tune took over and his only pass was intercepted by Marlon Humphrey.
Henry added the coup de grace a few minutes later.
Injuries
It was a painful night all around for the Packers.
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Green Bay safety Zayne Anderson (ankle), defensive lineman Jordon Riley (Achilles) and cornerback Kamal Hadden (ankle) were taken to the locker room. Cornerback Nate Hobbs suffered a knee injury and receiver Dontayvion Wicks was evaluated for a concussion.
Right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee) and receiver Savion Williams (foot) joined Love in sitting out Saturday’s game.
Next
Ravens: At Pittsburgh on January 4.
Packers: At Minnesota on January 4.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl