At a Glance
- Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Ravens’ 41-24 win.
- Green Bay’s Malik Willis threw for 288 yards and 1 touchdown.
- The game kept Baltimore’s AFC North hopes alive while the Packers’ playoff chances dimmed.
- Why it matters: Henry’s dominant performance shows Baltimore can still compete for a division title and a playoff spot.
The Week 17 showdown on Peacock saw the Baltimore Ravens outpace the Green Bay Packers 41-24, with Derrick Henry taking center stage in a game that mattered for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
Ravens Dominate with Henry
Henry shouldered the offensive load, logging 36 carries for 216 yards and four rushing touchdowns. His average of six yards per run kept the Packers’ defense on its heels.
Tyler Huntley, the Ravens’ backup quarterback, threw only 107 yards on 16 of 20 completions. Huntley’s short passes were a low-risk strategy, but with Henry carrying the ball, no other player needed to touch it.
- Henry’s 4 TDs all came on runs inside the 20-yard line.
- Huntley’s short-route throws helped avoid turnovers.
- The Ravens’ defense forced three turnovers, keeping the lead.
Malik Willis Shows Promise
With Jordan Love sidelined by a concussion, the Packers turned to Malik Willis. Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown, while also adding 60 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Josh Jacobs, the Packers’ running back, was limited to four carries for three yards, underscoring Willis’s dual-threat capability. Willis’s performance earned him praise as a potential future starter.
- Willis’s completion rate was 85.7%.
- He rushed for two touchdowns, the most by a backup QB in the season.
- After a brief upper-arm issue, backup Clayton Tune threw a pick, sealing the game.
Division Implications
The NFC North is now settled, with the Chicago Bears claiming the division at 11-4. Green Bay’s 9-6-1 record leaves them No. 7 in the NFC, reducing their playoff chances.
In the AFC, Baltimore remains in the race for the AFC North title. A win over Cleveland could keep their hopes alive, but a loss would likely force a winner-take-all showdown with Pittsburgh in Week 18.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Henry | 36 | 216 | 4 |
| Malik Willis | 9 | 60 | 2 |
| Tyler Huntley | 0 | 107 | 0 |
The game’s outcome keeps Baltimore’s playoff hopes alive and confirms the Bears’ dominance in the NFC North.
Key Takeaways
- Henry’s 216-yard, 4-TD performance was the decisive factor in the Ravens’ victory.
- Malik Willis proved he can be a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 288 yards and rushing for 60.
- The win keeps Baltimore’s AFC North title chase alive while the Packers’ playoff prospects dim.
The Ravens’ win demonstrates that, even without their star quarterback, they can still dominate a division rival and stay in the playoff conversation.
