Preview: Bengals vs Texans - AFC Wild Card

The QB's: Dalton vs. Schaub:

• One of these two QB's will be making their first ever playoff start. If I was ask many people on who it was, but looking at the years played in the NFL, most would say its the younger Andy Dalton. Wrong, its Texans Starter Matt Schaub. These two QB's have been going in opposite directions over the last 4 weeks of the season. And so have their teams. Dalton in the last 4 games (67/116, 58%, 689 yards, 3 TD's and 3 INT's) while Schaub was (84/131, 64%, 946 Yards, TD and 3 INT's). By the looks of those, some would say that Schaub will play better and win. Well for the Texans, that's exactly what they'll need from there QB in order to win. I just don't think he'll have a easy day at the office with this Bengals D that loves to put pressure on opposing QB's. The QB that can win this match-up will most likely win the game.

Which will end first: Texans Slump or Bengals Streak?

• As I mentioned above, both teams are playing in opposite directions. Bengals are coming into this game winning 4 of 5 (Which the only lost was by one point to the Cowboys) and coming off beating the big two in their division (Ravens and Steelers). As for the Texans, things are not going as planned. After going 11-1, the Texans took a trip to Foxboro and things have not been the same since. Losing 3 of their last 4, including a surprising lost to the Vikings at home may have been their highlight lost of this season. Momentum is the biggest advantage of being champions in this league, certainly has been the model to follow over the last 2 years. So if it was up to that, then the Texans may have played themselves out of a possible championship. Last year, these two met up in Houston and the Texans took care of business. This year, could be very different for this game and could have a different result, if these two trends continue.

Can Cinny win its first playoff game since 1990?

• This could be a huge game in Bengals history. Why must I say that? Because in order for the Bengals to be Super Bowl Champions, they have to win every game on the road. So with 4 games until the Super Bowl, they have start somewhere right? Right? Besides, this season the Bengals have played better on the road (6-2) then at home (4-4) this season. If you also believe in Divine Intervention, then you know that the Bengals could just be due for a win on the road. Hey this is the NFL, stranger things have happened.

Will the REAL Houston Texans please stand up?

• Right now would be a GREAT time for the Texans to start playing like they did before December. Being a 4.5 point favorites, you would expect the Texans to win. I mean they are the better team right? Well if you believe that the Texans are a top team in the AFC, then you will happy after this game is over, but if you go with the way this is playing, then you'll be highly concerned about their chances this weekend.

X-Factors: Bengals D-Line vs Foster

• Can the Bengals D-Line put pressure on Schaub and take Texans running attack out of the game? 

Confidence Picks: Bengals (10) vs Texans (23)

• QB: Dalton (3) vs. Schaub (8)
• Def: Bengals (2) vs. Texans (6)
• Coach: Lewis (5) vs. Kubiak (7)

Prediction: 24-20, Bengals

2012 AFC North Preview

AFC North

Reviews are in order of Final Standings for 2011

1. Ravens (12-4): - For this Ravens team, last season's exit from the AFC Championship Game had to be very painful and costly. A dropped TD and a missed FG from going to the Super Bowl and now many feel as if this is their final year of "their window" for a Championship. Defensive future HOF's Ray Lewis and Ed Reed return for another season, but you have to think that their end of the road is coming soon. They lost another key defensive piece in Terrell Suggs, who tore his Achilles during the off-season and had a beak shot at returning this season. However, Quarterback Joe Flacco is ready to take the lead of this Ravens team that's looking to prepare for life after Lewis/Reed. But before all of that happens, this team is looking to make the best of their last chance. So the question for 2012: Will this Ravens team be in New Orleans on Feb. 3rd playing against the NFC Champs? 
2. Steelers (12-4): - The last 8 months has to put a bad taste in the Steelers mouths. Losing to a Broncos team that that should of beaten and not being able to play again until now, very frustrating for this team. With a new offense and a maturing WR corp could be good thing for Big Ben and this Steelers offense, who'll play a game without WR Hines Ward for the first time this entire century. Going into this season, the question is: Can the Big Ben adjust to the new offense ran by new Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley? Can the Steelers stay healthy for the long haul this season?
3. Bengals (9-7): - For a Bengals team that was "suppose" to be in rebuild mode, well that went project went by fast......very fast by NFL standards. This team made the playoffs, when most had them not even winning more then 6 games. That could be very dangerous for the other teams in this division once this team gets some experience under their belt. Out went Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, in comes Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now with the extra year of "rebuilding" out the way, this team could be a serious threat in a year or so. But until then the question going into 2012: Can this Bengals team have the same or better record then last year and can they return to the playoffs in 2012?
4. Browns (4-12): - Well the Browns are just.....well the Browns. There season was bad, but they may have some hope the future. Drafting Trent Richardson from Alabama and Brandon Weeden from Oklahoma St. could be the two pieces this franchise needs to hopefully turn around this organization. Can Richardson have a great rookie season and get his team some more wins?

2012 AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens

BAL: (12-4)

PIT: (11-5)

CIN: (10-6)

CLE: (3-13)

Recap: AFC Wild Card - Bengals vs Texans

Bengals 10, Texans 31

Recapping my 4 Downs for the Bengals/Texans game:

• 1st Down: Andy Dalton vs. T.J. Yates? Well Dalton went 27/42 for 257 and 3 INT's (will discuss in 3rd down) while Yates threw for 11/20, 159 and a TD. Advantage: Yates
• 2nd Down: Running Game: Arian Foster had 24 carries for 153 and 2 TD's. Cedric Benson did have a TD, but wasn't heard of much after that, finishing with 7 carries for 14 yards. As a team the Texans ran for 188 yards vs the Bengals running for 76. Advantage: Clearly the Texans
• 3rd Down: Defensive Turnovers: 3-0. Lets just say the team with the 0 turnovers won the game. The 3 INT's that Dalton threw where costly, including on that was went for a pick-6. However the Bengals Chris Crocker had an golden opportunity to get a pick-6 from Yates but dropped the ball. Later on in that series, Yates threw a TD to Johnson. Advantage: Texans
• 4th Down: Playoff Pressure: Early on, the pressure seem to have hit both QB's. However, Dalton seem to have been affected by it the most. However, I won't chastise the QB's on this one, Imma go to the coaches and Gary Kubiak seem to handle the pressure fine, but Marvin Lewis seem to have choked up on a few challenge calls. Bengals had two challenges early in the game that should of not been made, thus losing their challenges early. Advantage: Texans for handling the pressure better.

J.J. Watt Pick 6 for a TD/Texans.com

What's Next: A rematch against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday for the Texans. 

4 Downs - AFC Wild Card: Bengals vs Texans

Bengals (9-7) vs Texans (10-6)

• 1st Down: Andy Dalton vs T.J. Yates - going into this season, if you would of told me that a QB taken after the 1st round of the 2011 draft would be the starter of a team and make the playoffs, I would of said that you don't know football. Dalton has played the entire season, so we've seen more of him then Yates who only played a month. I believe that both teams will run the football religiously in this game.
• 2nd Down: Running Game - Arian Foster will have about 30 touches in this game and Cedric Benson should have about the same. So this game could come down to who runs the ball better and who can keep the chains moving on 3rd down.
• 3rd Down: Which Defense can win the turnover battle - Houston's defense is much improved from last season vs. Cincinnati's revamped Defense lead by CB Johnathan Joseph. These two teams played a few weeks ago in Week 15, in which the Bengals played a good game, if not for a 4th Quarter meltdown which allowed the Texans to comeback and win that game and the 3rd Seed.
• 4th Down: Playoff Pressure - With both teams not having as much playoff success as the other teams in the playoffs, this could come down to which team can handle the playoff pressure the best. I usually look at the coaches in this matter: Marvin Lewis with the Bengals and Gary Kubiak with the Texans. Both won Super Bowls as assistants but both are seeking their 1st playoff victory as a Head Coach.

Confidence Pick: Texans

• QB: Dalton (7) vs Yates (6)
• Defenses: Bengals (4) vs Texans (2)
• Overall Team: Bengals (7) vs Texans (3)
• Bengals (18) vs Texans (11)

My Pick: Bengals 17 vs Texans 21

Wild Card Confidence Picks

This year I'll be doing confidence picks for the NFL Playoffs. This will help out with my predictions in who will win or at least what kind of game it will turn out to be. I am using the Mike and Mike format, when picking the confidence number. This format is simple: I'll use 3 categories (Overall Team, Quarterback, and Defense) and then I'll rank those categories by using the numbers 1-8 (1 being the most confident and 8 being the least confident). Of those 3 categories, I'll combine the total and get the confidence number. Remember, the lower the number wins for each game.

Quarterbacks:
1. Roethlisberger
2. Brees
3. Manning
4. Ryan
5. Stafford
6. Yates
7. Dalton
8. Tebow

Defense:
1. Steelers
2. Texans
3. Giants
4. Bengals
5. Lions
6. Saints
7. Broncos
8. Falcons

Overall Team:
1. Saints
2. Steelers
3. Texans
4. Falcons
5. Lions
6. Giants
7. Bengals
8. Broncos


Bengals (18) at Texans (11)

Lions (15) at Saints (9)

Falcons (16) at Giants (12)

Steelers (4) at Broncos (23)

Results of the confidence pick shows that the Texans, Saints, Giants and Steelers will win over the weekend. I actually agree with the confidence picks, although I believe that the Bengals have a great opportunity to steal a game in Houston.