Odds are even in Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans wild-card game on Saturday – NFL Preview
Odds seem even in the first game of the postseason round of the National Football League (NFL) postseason, to be played between the American Football Conference (AFC) South champions, the Houston Texans, and AFC North outfit, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Saturday,
January 07, 2012.
It is the first ever wild-card game for the Texans, who by finishing the NFL’s regular season at 10-6, atop the league’s points table, and have made it to playoff for the first time in the franchise's history.
In addition, they have managed to finish atop the AFC South division and claimed the divisional title.
However, one of their main setbacks could be their three-game losing streak, just before entering the second round.
The Texans came out as winners in the last AFC game they played against the Bengals in 1990, back when they were the Texans Oilers. Now, they are up in their first playoff game as the Texans.
Coaches from both sides have discussed their strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages, before going into the weekend game, while assuring their sides that they will be playing for a win, no matter what.
Their home and road wins and losses record in the regular season of the NFL is almost identical.
Texans won five and lost three games, each in their home and road sprees, and averaged at .625 per cent.
However, the Cincinnati Bengals’ losses at home are slightly higher at the figure of four, equal to their four wins. Their road victories and losses are equal to the Texans' five wins and three losses.
Bengals finished at 9-7 on the league table.
Both sides are also having problems of their own on the injuries front, with a number of players already ruled out of the season.
The Texans are regretting the absence of their star quarterbacks, Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart.
Both players were clearly different in term of their performances and wins, earlier in the season, but are now out of the current football season due to foot and collarbone injuries, respectively.
Rookie quarterback, T.J. Yates, who too was threatened to miss the next game due to a bruised shoulder, has played at Schaub's and Leinart's place and was seen to be performing well in his plays.
Overall, the rookie, who has been promoted from his fifth draft pick position to accept the starting challenge, did not match those players' skills.
The side is also not banking too much on their veterans, Jake Delhomme and Jeff Garcia, as the backup for Yates.
Further, they are not definite about the fitness of their wide receiver, Andre Johnson.
He missed the last couple of games of the season due to a hamstring injury in addition to having been out for six consecutive games for the same injury earlier in the season.
Matt Schaub averages 61 per cent for 2479 yards, including 15 touchdown passes and six interceptions, while Yates has put up 949 yards with an average of 61.2 per cent.
This includes three touchdown passes and three interceptions.
Away from their injury problems for a while, the Texans should be relying on their advantage of winning the game against Bengals in the regular season in December of 2011.
The Cincinnati Bengals in the meantime, have problems of their own as far as the number of injuries to their players is concerned.
Not being sure about the participation of Andy Dalton in their next game, according to reports earlier in the season, Bengals are confident about his availability in the upcoming contest.
Dalton’s performance in the regular season averages 58.1 per cent with 3398 yards he put in his plays, including 20 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
With all their positives and negatives, both teams have expressed hopes for a win on the weekend, which will determine which course they take on the road to the Super Bowl.
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