AFC wild-card round Bengals (9-7) at Texans (10-6)
When » Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Where » Reliant Stadium, Houston
TV » NBC
By Examiner Staff Writer Jeffrey Tomik
Storylines
1 Inexperience all around » While the Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1991, the Texans will be making their first postseason appearance. Both teams will be led by a rookie quarterback: Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton and Houston’s T.J. Yates. The Ravens’ Joe Flacco and the Jets’ Mark Sanchez have recently proved that rookies can lead their teams deep into the postseason. How far can Dalton or Yates go?
2 On the defense » With inexperienced quarterbacks, the pressure will fall on the defenses. Both rank in the top 10 in every major category — points, passing, rushing and total yards. But the Texans’ defense has looked vulnerable lately, allowing an average of 23.3 points a game during consecutive losses to the Panthers, Colts and Titans to end the season. The Bengals’ defense has allowed 24 points or more five times this season, all losses.
Key matchup
Bengals linebackers vs. Texans running backs
Houston led the AFC in rushing touchdowns (18) behind Arian Foster and Ben Tate, who combined for 2,166 rushing yards. Foster was also second on the team with 53 receptions and 617 receiving yards. Last week, the Bengals’ defense allowed Ravens running back Ray Rice to rush for 191 yards on 24 carries in a 24-16 loss to their division rivals.
Last meeting
Texans 20, Bengals 19 (Dec. 11) » Yates threw a 6-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left to cap an 80-yard drive and clinch a playoff berth. Foster was held to just 41 yards on 15 carries, but the Texans’ rookie quarterback led the way with 300 yards and two scores. For the Bengals, running back Cedric Benson had 91 yards on 21 carries.
By the numbers
0 » Bengals wins against playoff teams. Cincinnati went 0-7, but six of those defeats were by eight or fewer points.
152 » Pick the Houston Texans used to select rookie quarterback T.J. Yates (North Carolina) in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Examiner predicts …
Texans 24, Bengals 17
The running game of Houston will be too much for Cincinnati’s defense. Both offenses will be conservative with their playcalling, but the Texans will take advantage of play-action with a deep play to Andre Johnson.
