Bengals V.S. Texans Wild Card Preview

Last year saw the Texans manhandle the Bengals in the wild card round, 31-10. Then rookie QB Andy Dalton had thrown 3 interceptions and got sacked 4 times that day. While the other rookie QB, backup T.J. Yates threw a touchdown pass to Andre Johnson and no interceptions. Arian Foster also ran for 153 yards and a touchdown that would put Houston in the lead for good. That was last year though, this year is a whole different story.

The Cinncinati Bengals finished on a high note to end the season, beating the Ravens 23-17 to finish 10-6. Led by Pro Bowl DT Geno Atkins and DE Michael Johnson, the Bengals finished 3rd in the NFL in sacks with 51. This was one reason why the Bengals ranked 9th in the NFL in scoring defense. Rookie LB Vontaze Burficit came out of knowhere this season, leading the Bengals in tackles with 127. While the Bengals defense sets the tone of their game, there offense did some nice work. WR A.J. Green caught 97 passes and RB Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis  ran for 1,094 yards to lead this up and down Bengals offense.

Here are some of the of the factors of the game, in order for the Bengals to beat the Texans:

• The Bengals need to contain the Texans running game anchored by Arian Foster. DT Geno Atkins and DE's Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap need to take over the Texans excellent offensive line. If they contain there strech plays, the Bengals pass rush will find ways to get after QB Matt Schaub when the Texans are doing play action.
• WR A.J. Green did well against CB Champ Bailey this season (7 REC 99 Yards 1 TD) and did good in his second meeting with the Steelers (10 REC 116 Yards) should do well against Texans CB Jonathan Joseph. The Texans have allowed at least 265 passing yards during there 3 losses in there last 4 games. Andy Dalton and A.J. have a favorable matchup.
• Green will attract Texan defenders, which will let Slot WR Marvin Jones or TE Jermaine Gresham in open field
• If RT Andre Smith and LT Andrew Witworth can contain DE's J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith, the Bengals running game will open up running holes for RB Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis.

The Texans have lost there last 3 out of 4 games and are looking for there first win since Week 15 against the Colts and look to beat the Bengals for there 2nd playoff win in franchise history. DE J.J. Watt has been the talk about the Texans defense, sacking opponetts QB 20 times. This defense had lost LB Brian Cushing for the season and there that hurt the defense. They did finish 8th in scoring defense and rank 7th in total defense. The offensive side did there job too, racking up 416 points, which ranked 8th in the NFL and finished 7th in total offense. WR Andre Johnson brought in 112 catches for 1,598 yards, RB Arian Foster ran for 1,424 yards, scored 17 TD, and QB Matt Schaub threw for 4,008 yards and finished with a 90.7 QB raiting.

Here are some of the facotrs of the game, in order for the Texans to beat the Bengals

• Matt Schaub has gotten sacked only 27 times, if this T Duane Brown, C Chris Myers and this Texans O-line can win the battle at the line of scrimmage, Arian Foster will run wild, and Matt Schaub will have a big day
• J.J. Watt's double teams will free a LB on a bitz, look for Houston to do zone and gap blitzes to get after Andy Dalton
• If TE Owen Daniels gets in a groove, that means the Bengals will have to focus Andre Johnson and Daniels. This helps WR's Keyshawn Martin and Kevin Walter and TE Garett Graham find open holes in the defense

I have the Bengals upsetting the Texans 24-17.