Cincinnati (+3) at Houston
Two teams that are not used to being in the postseason square off in Houston on Saturday. The Houston Texans are making their 1st appearance in the playoffs since joining the league in 2002. Cincinnati is making just their 3rd appearance in the last 20 years. The Texans stormed off to a 10-3 record despite losing 3 of their premier players (Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Mario Williams). They have since lost their last 3 and have no momentum on their side. The Bengals traveled a similar route, beginning the season 6-2 before finishing with a 9-7 record and backing into the playoffs. By virtue of winning the AFC South, Houston will have home field and should have a raucous crowd supporting them at Reliant Stadium. TJ Yates and Andy Dalton will both be starting their 1st postseason starts of their careers. Expect both teams to try to control the ground game. Pro Bowl RB Arian Foster will pace the Texans attack, while the Bengals will counter with Cedric Benson. Ultimately, Foster and his teammate Ben Tate will be able to establish themselves on the ground and lead the Texans to their 1st playoff win in franchise history.
Prediction - Houston 23 Cincinnati 16
Saturday, 8
Detroit (+10.5) at New Orleans
This is a matchup of 2 of the most explosive offenses in all of football. Both team feature QBs that broke the 5,000 yard passing mark. The Saints' Drew Brees became the record holder for passing yards in a season at 5,476. The Lions' Matthew Stafford was not too far behind at 5,038. The Saints have rattled off 8 straight wins and have averaged over 41 points a game at home. This includes a 31-17 win over the Lions just a few weeks back. The Lions began the year 5-0, but went just 5-6 in their final 11. This has many wondering whether Detroit has what it takes to compete at this level. In their regular season meeting, Drew Brees was able to expose the Lions' secondary, much like he has every secondary this year. The Lions have the firepower to match New Orleans point for point though. Stafford to Calvin Johnson has become perhaps the most lethal connection in the NFL. The team that forces the other into mistakes will win the game. Remember the Saints Super Bowl run in 2009? That team was predicated on explosive plays on offense and forcing key turnovers on defense. Expect the same from this year's Saints. New Orleans was my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl so I can;t turn against them now.
Prediction - New Orleans 41 Detroit 27
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