NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview

AFC
(Patriots and Ravens have 1st Round Byes)

#6 Cincinnati Bengals vs. #3 Houston Texas
Date: Saturday, January 7th 2012 4:30 EST (NBC)
Location: Reliant Stadium Houston, Texas
Previous Meeting(s): Texans 20 Bengals 19

When Houston has the Ball:
-Expect the Texans to run it early and often against the Bengals 10th Ranked Rush Defense. The Texans have a two headed monster of Arian Foster (1,841 Total Yards and 12 TD's) and Ben Tate (1,040 Total Yards and 4 TD's). When they aren't handing off the rock,rookie T.J Yates will be looking to WR Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels. Yates will likely have problems against a Bengals Defense that ranks 9th against the Pass, and has registered the 5th most Sacks in the league (45)

Keys to the Game:
1.) Establish the run and wear down the Bengals D
2.) Win the turnover battle
3.)  Stop A.J Green

When Cincinnati has the Ball:
-The Bengals are led by 2 young rookies on offense. Rookie QB Andy Dalton (3,398 Pass Yards 20 TD's 13 INT's) and his favorite rookie target Pro Bowl WR A.J Green (65 Catches 1,057 Yards 7 TD's). Dalton will try to find holes in the Texans 3rd ranked Pass Defense but if he can't find success there the Bengals will have to try and run the ball with Cedric Benson (1,149 Total yards and 6 TD's) against the Texans 4th ranked run defense.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Shutdown Foster and Tate
2. ) Get the ball to A.J Green
3.) Keep Dalton Upright

Prediction: Bengals 24
                   Texans: 17


#5 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. #4 Denver Broncos
Date: Sunday, January 8th 2012 4:30 EST (CBS)
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High Denver, Colorado

Previous Meeting(s): None

How will Tim Tebow do in his first ever Playoff game against one of the best
Defenses in the League.

When Denver has the Ball:

-The name of the game is Tim Tebow, and while his stats aren't great (1,729 Pass Yards 12 TD's 6 INT's and 6 Rush TD's) his 4th Quarter Stats are better (984 Pass yards 6 TD's 4 INT's and 3 Rush TD's). Regardless of stats in any quarter, Tebow will have a tough time against this defense. The Broncos offense will bring a system of Option Plays, QB Keepers, and Draws. If Tebow doesn't have the ball in his hands odds are Willis McGahee has it (1,250 Total Yards 5 TD's) but both Runners will have problems against the Steelers 8th Ranked Run Defense. Don't even think about the Pass as Tebow has only thrown it 271 times this year and has completed less then 50% of his Passes, and it will be even tougher against the best Pass Defense in the NFL.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Don't turn the ball over
2.) Keep the Score close
3.) Take down Big Ben

When Pittsburgh has the Ball:
-The Steelers will go into the playoffs without RB Rashard Mendehall (Torn ACL) but Ben Roethlisberger has finally healed from a High Ankle Sprain. The Steelers will have to rely on Isaac Redman (557 Total yards and 4 TD's) against the Broncos 22nd ranked Rush Defense. I expect the Steelers to take to the air alot in this game against the Broncos 18th ranked Pass D, and Mike Wallace (72 Catches 1,193 Yards 8 TD's) will benefit against an older Secondary. The Broncos expect Brian Dawkins back this week but even that won't be enough to contain Wallace.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Make Tim Tebow Pass
2.) Keep Tebow in the Pocket
3.) Score Early and Often

Prediction: Steelers 27 Broncos 17

NFC
(Packers and 49ers have First Round Byes)

#6 Detroit Lions vs. #3 New Orleans Saints
Date: Saturday, January 7th 2012  8:00 EST (NBC)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Super Dome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Previous Meeting(s): Saints 31 Lions 17

There is something magical about the Super Dome, the Saints
average nearly 40 PPG while playing in front of their Home fans

When New Orleans has the Ball:

-Outside of the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome the New Orleans Offense is just a normal offense (27 PPG) but at home they are a machine (40 PPG). Drew Brees the likely NFL MVP (5,476 Pass Yards 46 TD's 14 INT's). The Saints Pass most of the game and will look to do the same against a Lions defense that just let Packers Backup QB throw for 6 TD's and 480 Yards in cold weather. The Saints don't run the ball often but when they do, expect carries to be divided between Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, and Darren Sprolles.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Attack the Lions Secondary
2.) Shutdown Megatron
3.) Stop the Lions Front Four

When Detroit has the Ball:
-Congrats to Matthew Stafford (5,038 Pass Yards 41 TD's 16 INT's) for staying healthy this year and leading the Detroit Lions to the playoffs for the first time in years. He is the commander of this offense and has developed a connection with Calvin Johnson (96 Catches 1,681 Yards 16 TD's). The Lions lost Jahvid Best earlier in the year and have had to rely on Kevin Smith as their primary RB. Expect the Lions to use the run minimally as they will be looking to attack the Saints 30th ranked Pass Defense. It will be a high scoring game, which means alot of yards and TD's for Stafford and Megatron.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Put Pressure on Brees
2.) Force Brees into INT's
3.) Throw it to Megatron

Prediction: Saints 35 Lions 24

#5 Atlanta Falcons vs. #4 New York Giants
Date: Sunday, January 8th 2012 1:00 EST (FOX)
Location:  MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Previous Meeting(s):  None

When New York has the Ball:
-The Giants excel at one thing and this is throwing the football. Pro Bowl QB Eli Manning (4,933 Pass Yards 29 TD's 16 INT's) and WR's Victor Cruz (82 Catches 1,536 Yards 9 TD's) and Hakeem Nicks (76 Catches 1,192 Yards 7 TD's) have helped lead the Giants to the 5th best passing attack in the NFL. The passing attack shouldn't have any trouble against the Falcons 20th ranked pass defense. The Giants couldn't run the ball even if it was an offense only practice, as they rank last in the NFL in yards. They will be playing in the cold New Jersey weather so the game should be close.

Keys to the Game:
1.) Stop Michael Turner
2.) Eliminate the Deep Threat
3.) Get to Ryan early

When Atlanta has the Ball:
-The Falcons have multiple play makers on offense. QB Matt Ryan (4,177 Pass Yards 29 TD's 12 INT's), RB Michael Turner ( 1, 508 Total Yards 11 TD's) and WR's Roddy White (100 Catches 1,296 Yards 8 TD's) and Julio Jones (54 Catches 989 Yards 8 TD's). The Falcons will look to exploit the Giants weakness, their 29th ranked Pass Defense.As for the running game they should do just enough to keep the Giants on their toes in this game. The one thing the Falcons will have to avoid is the Giants front four which has the 3rd most sacks in the NFL (48).

Keys to the Game:
1.) Cover Victor Cruz
2.) Control the Clock
3.) Protect the Football

Prediction: Giants 27 Falcons 21