Wild Card Weekend Preview (AFC)

We have 4 enticing match-ups coming up this weekend. The Giants take on the Falcons, Lions face off against the Saints, Steelers up against the Broncos and the Texans and Bengals match-up in the Saturday slot. Let's look at each game and break it down.

AFC Wild Card Round:

#6(Cincinnati Bengals) vs. #3(Huston Texans)
When: Saturday, January 7th 2012. 1:30 PST (NBC)
Where: Reliant Stadium, Huston Texas
Previous Match-up: Texans 20, Bengals 19 (December 11th, 2011)

With big expectations heading into this season for the Texans, they did not disappoint winning the Division to a 10-6 record. Though the season could have gone better, many feel. An foot injury to Matt Schaub hinders this team from becoming elite. His replacement, T.J. Yates, has hardly been spectacular, but serviceable. But the Texans do have the second best running game in the NFL and a stout defense and should not be taken lightly.

On the other side, the Bengals came into the season with relatively low expectations. They had a rookie QB at the helm, after the Carson Palmer saga came to an end, and young Wide Relievers that won't do him any favors. Naturally, Dalton had a rookie of the year campaign, passing for over 3000 yards and 20 TDs. Cedric Benson has a solid year, rushing for over 1000 yards and 6 TDs. The Bengals had trouble the last few weeks on rush defense, but on the season were very strong.

Keys to the game: (Texans)

1) Give Foster and Tate the Ball- With Schaub out, the Texans have become a run first team. Stick to that strength, get them some running lanes, throw the short pass to Foster an let him run. The dual running back attack needs to be effective for the Texans to win, especially with a shaky QB and a shaky Andre Johnson.

2) Pressure Andy Dalton- He's a rookie QB in his first ever playoff game, there is bound to be jitters. Huston has great pass rushers. Don't be afraid to bring extra pressure as well, Huston has the secondary that can withstand one-on-one coverage when bringing the extra pass rush.

3) Limit the Turnovers- Huston had trouble taking care of the ball late in the year, totaling 10 TO's in their last 5 games. Take care of the ball, let the young Bengals make the mistakes.

Keys to the Game: (Bengals)


1) Run the Ball- The Bengals are a running team at heart, despite the success of Andy Dalton. They have run for over 100 yards in nine straight games. Stay true to what got you here. A power running game will win you late ball games, and Andy Dalton can make the throw if he has to.

2) Slow Down the Opposing Rush- Texans will bring it on the ground, and before the last few games, the Bengals have stopped the run short. In their last match-up, the Bengals held the Texans to one of their worst running games their entire season, and the Bengals almost won the game. Force T.J Yates to throw the ball, there is a better chance of his making a mistake than Huston's backs.

3) Keep your Poise- This is a young Bengals team, led by a rookie QB. The coaching staff will have to do a good job of keeping this team poised. This isn't the first time Dalton has faced big game pressure. He won the Rose Bowl before embarking into the NFL. This is a different level, but Dalton gets an advantage for having faced, and beat, pressure before.

This game has the potential to be a great match-up. Both teams are very well balanced and it will be a fight, and a close one.

Final Verdict- Texans 24, Bengals 21.