Bengals @ Texans
Andy Dalton vs. Matt Schaub
The NFL Playoffs will begin Saturday afternoon with a matchup of two quarterbacks looking to establish themselves as elite talents. The Red Rifle, Andy Dalton, a Texas Christian University product, has taken the Bengals to the playoffs for the second time in his young career. And for the second year in a row, his Bengals will travel to Houston to take on an extremely talented Houston Texans team. In last year’s wild card round, the Texans defeated the Bengals 31-10 . However, it was with rookie TJ Yates under center, not Schaub who was on IR with a foot injury.
This year’s wild card matchup between the Texans and Bengals should make for a much closer contest. The Bengals have won 7 of their last 8 games . They finished the year 10-6 behind the dynamic dou of Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Out of Dalton’s 27 touchdown passes this season, 11 were to Green. Look for the two to try and connect against a mediocre Texans secondary (16th most passing yards allowed this season).
On the other hand, The Houston Texans started the year on fire, winning 11 of their first 12 games. However, they didn’t finish year like they would have hoped. They lost 3 of their last 4 games. Nevertheless, quarterback Matt Schaub will look to propel himself into the elite quarterback category with a strong playoff run. Schaub finished the 2012 regular season with 4,008 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The Texans need Schaub to play well if they are going to make a Superbowl caliber playoff run. In the Texans 12 wins, Schaub threw for 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. In the team’s 4 losses, Schaub failed to throw a touchdown and was intercepted 5 times.
Indianapolis Colts @ The Baltimore Ravens
Andrew Luck vs. Joe Flacco
Sunday afternoon, NFL fans will be treated to an intriguing matchup between the young and talented Colts, led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck and the experienced Ravens, led by 5 year veteran Joe Flacco.
Last April, when the Colts drafted Luck, they couldn’t have pictured an 11-5 season. Luck was regarded as a can’t miss, once in a generation prospect, who was supposed to make Colts fans forget about Peyton Manning. Despite such high expectations Luck found a way to supersede in his rookie season. Luck not only led the Colts to 11 wins. He set the rookie passing yard record, led 4 fourth quarter comebacks, and 7 game winning drives. He is the ultimate example of how drafting the right quarterback can change the dynamic of a franchise.
As for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, playoff success has been in his vocabulary since his rookie season. Flacco is 5-4 in the playoffs. As a rookie, he led the Ravens to the AFC Championship game. Last year, he was a dropped touchdown pass, and missed chip shot field goal away from facing off against the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.
This off season Flacco told the media he believed he was an elite quarterback. In order for him to prove it, he needs to take the Ravens to the Super Bowl.
