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| Adrian Peterson will try to carry the Minnesota Vikings to another win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. (Hannah Foslien) |
These two teams enter this wild card matchup with very different momentum. The Texans have lost three of their last four. During that stretch of time, quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown only one touchdown and three interceptions. In the same span, running back Arian Foster has only surpassed the 100-yard mark once. The Texans defense has continued to play well, but that has not been enough to make up the difference.
The Bengals have won seven of their last eight. Probably the biggest reason why is that their defense has played superbly. The last time the Bengals gave up more than 20 points was back in Week 9. The passing game has played well, but quarterback Andy Dalton continues to be inconsistent Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis has improved as the season has gone on. He rushed for over 100 yards in four games during the second half of the season.
Prediction: Texans 20 Bengals 17
Minnesota Vikings (10-6) @ Green Bay Packers (11-5) - Saturday, 8:00 PM EST, NBC
This is the third time this season and second time in less than a week that these NFC North rivals square off. This time it will be decided under the frigid conditions of Lambeau Field. The Vikings have relied on the resurgence of Adrian Peterson all season. His 2,097 rushing yards may have been just shy of the record, but were enough to carry his team to the playoffs. Quarterback Christian Ponder has been much maligned this season, but he did throw three touchdown passes in last week's win over the Packers. The Vikings defense has stepped up and played very well down the stretch against tough competition.
When many predicted before the season that the Packers would go to the Super Bowl, few thought their regular season would be as inconsistent as it was. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been the leader with continued dominant play, but the offensive line has struggled to protect him and to give him the time that he needs to operate. As a result, the run game has been virtually non-existent for much of the season. The Packers defense has had its ups and downs. They have been unable to shutdown Peterson, who has had a combined 409 yards in their previous two matchups this season. The Packers are not going to stop him, but if they can contain him, their odds of winning increase exponentially.
Prediction: Packers 28 Vikings 20
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) @ Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
This game should be an emotional one for both sides. The Colts had their head coach Chuck Pagano return from leukemia treatment to the sidelines to lead them to a big win at home over the Texans last week as they head into the playoffs with considerable momentum. They finished the season winning five of their last six games as well. Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has been a major difference maker for the Colts. During the regular season, he threw for 4,374 yards with 23 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Luck will need to limit his mistakes against a Ravens defense that always looks to force turnovers.
Ray Lewis is always the emotional leader of the Ravens, but the fact that he announced that this will be his final season will be an added motivation for his teammates. The Ravens began the season 9-2, but they dropped four of the last five games of the regular season to barely win the AFC North. Quarterback Joe Flacco had an up-and-down year, throwing for 3,817 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Getting running back Ray Rice involved in the passing and rushing game is crucial to the offense's success. The Ravens defense has not been nearly as strong this season. However, they are always a threat to create havoc and force turnovers.
Prediction: Ravens 31 Colts 27
Seattle Seahawks (11-5) @ Washington Redskins (10-6) - Sunday, 4:30 PM EST, FOX
This is a rare playoff game in that it features two rookie quarterbacks squaring off. This game could very well come down to which one of them plays better. The Seahawks come into the playoffs on a five-game winning streak. Their rookie quarterback, Russell Wilson, has played very well during the streak with a ratio of 13 total touchdowns to only two interceptions. During the same stretch of time, running back Marshawn Lynch has rushed for an average of 107.8 rushing yards a game and seven total touchdowns. The Seahawks defense has been one of the best in the league and has given up more than 24 points only once this season.
The Redskins started the season with a 3-6 record, but won seven games in a row to win the NFC East. Their reward is a home playoff game which could be significant because they have won four straight and five of six at FedEx Field, while the Seahawks were only 3-5 on the road this season. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has been the leader and inspiration for the Redskins as he has battled through injuries to play well. He has gotten huge help from his top running back, Alfred Morris. Morris ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished the regular season with 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Prediction: Seahawks 20 Redskins 17
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