A battle of backup quarterbacks saw one team remain in the playoff hunt while the other lost its chance to win its division as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Green Bay Packers 41-24 Saturday night at Lambeau Field. However, it was a running back who stole the show as Baltimore’s Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns.

The Ravens (8-8) will need the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) to lose to the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday and then beat the Steelers in the season finale next week in Pittsburgh to win the AFC North and make the playoffs.

The Packers (9-6-1) clinched a playoff spot when the Detroit Lions lost on Thursday, but Saturday’s loss handed the NFC North title to the Chicago Bears.

The Ravens leaned heavily on Henry, who got them out to a 27-14 halftime lead behind 106 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He finished with a career-high 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns. Henry became the focal point with quarterback Lamar Jackson missing the game with a back injury. Backup Tyler Huntley stepped up, going an efficient 16-of-20 for 107 yards and a touchdown pass while rushing eight times for 60 yards.

Quarterback Malik Willis stepped in for Packers starter Jordan Love, who was ruled out after suffering a concussion last week. Willis kept the Packers in the game, going 18-of-21 for 288 yards and a touchdown while rushing nine times for 60 yards and two touchdowns. However, he left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.

Reliance on Henry a correction from last week

Ravens coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken listened to questions all week about why Henry did not see the field in the final two drives of the 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots. They seemed determined not to make the same mistake again. Henry had 15 carries with less than two minutes elapsed in the second quarter. He had five games this year in which he didn’t get 15 carries.

He had 21 carries at halftime, just four off his season high. He had 27 through three quarters, two over his season high. It’s easy to question why the Ravens haven’t leaned harder on Henry all year, but for one night, they did — and the Packers struggled to stop him. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writer

Shorthanded Packers D struggling

Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt aren’t coming back to save this Packers run defense. In their first game without Parsons last Saturday, the Packers surrendered 150 rushing yards on 26 carries against the Bears before allowing a whopping 307 yards on the ground from 53 carries against the Ravens. Henry ran all over Green Bay’s depleted front for 216 yards on 36 carries.

Not having their two best defensive linemen is only so much of an excuse, though, and the Packers will have to be far better up front against whoever they face in the first round of the playoffs. With a loss on Saturday, the Packers locked up the No. 7 seed for the third consecutive season. — Matt Schneidman, Packers beat writer

Huntley shouldn’t struggle to get a job this offseason

There has been plenty of talk in recent weeks about how much money Willis is earning himself in the offseason. But Huntley, the Ravens’ No. 2, is doing pretty well for himself, too. Starting in place of Jackson, Huntley ran Baltimore’s offense beautifully, leading the team to its most points since Week 2. Every chance he’s gotten to play this year, he’s handled himself really well, and he’s played a key role in arguably Baltimore’s two most impressive wins this season, against Chicago and Green Bay.

Huntley had to wait around a long time this summer to get a job offer from the Browns. He probably won’t be waiting that long this coming summer. — Zrebiec

Willis should also be sought after

Willis is going to get a hefty bag this offseason, and deservedly so. The Packers’ backup quarterback continued to look like an NFL starter in completing 18 of 21 for 288 yards and one touchdown against Baltimore while running nine times for 60 yards and two touchdowns before reinjuring his right shoulder midway through the fourth quarter. The Packers acquired Willis for a seventh-round pick on the eve of the 2024 season, and the deal has been a bargain. After fluttering out in Tennessee, Willis has proven himself as a thrower and runner while setting himself up plentifully for free agency in a couple of months. — Schneidman

Ravens will make the Steelers earn it

The Ravens entered Saturday needing three things to happen over the next two weeks to win the AFC North and qualify for the playoffs. They took care of the first part with their victory over the Packers. Now comes the most unlikely scenario. The Ravens need the last-place Browns to beat the Steelers on Sunday for the Week 18 Baltimore-Pittsburgh matchup to have any playoff ramifications.

If the Steelers win, the Ravens are eliminated from playoff contention. If the Browns pull off the upset, next week’s Ravens-Steelers game will be for the AFC North crown. At least, the Ravens have forced the Steelers to win it outright. — Zrebiec

Injuries mount for Green Bay

As if the Packers hadn’t suffered enough injuries this season, five more players went down Saturday and were ruled out for the remainder of the game. Backup safety and ace special-teamer Zayne Anderson (ankle), reserve defensive tackle Jordon Riley (Achilles) and backup cornerback Kamal Hadden (ankle) were all carted off. Cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) also went down and didn’t return.

Add that group to the list of Parsons, Wyatt, tight end Tucker Kraft, center Elgton Jenkins and tight end John FitzPatrick already out for the season. — Schneidman