Riverfront Ball Wild Card Weekend Staff Picks
By Mel Payne
Jan 07, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans center Chris Myers (55) prepares to snap the ball during the first quarter of the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
It’s that time of year again. The regular season has ended and the NFL Playoffs are kicking off this weekend. Who is going to move on play the Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, and Falcons? Here’s a sneak peak of what the Riverfront Ball staff thinks:
Matchup |
Shifman
Payne
Chalmers
Bengals at Texans
Bengals
Bengals
Bengals
Vikings at Packers
Packers
Packers
Packers
Colts at Ravens
Colts
Colts
Colts
Seahawks at Redskins
Seahawks
Redskins
Seahawks
Bengals at Texans Game Predictions
J. Shifman
In the best game of the weekend, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green comes down with a bomb in the endzone with 30 seconds left to clinch the win for the orange and black.
Final Score: Cincinnati 14, Houston 13
Mel Payne
This game will keep Bengals fans on the edge of their seats for all four quarters. In the end, though, I think Cincinnati will finally silence their critics and their coach his first postseason win with the team. Andy Dalton and Andrew Hawkins will have a big game together, with Green being double covered on every play. The defense will come up big, keeping pressure on Schaub, and despite a big fourth quarter from Foster, the Bengals will silence the Houston running game.
Final Score: Cincinnati 23, Houston 21
Cody Chalmers
Cincinnati will get the monkey off their back this Saturday with a win in Houston. Cincinnati and Houston have been traveling in different directions the past few weeks and I think the trend continues. Geno Atkins and the Bengals defense will maul Matt Schaub and sack him 4 times. Leon Hall and Reggie Nelson will both have interceptions. Dalton throws for 200+ with 2 touchdowns and no picks. Cincinnati wins 21-10 and secures their first playoff victory in over 20 years and their first road playoff win in franchise history.
Final Score: Cincinnati 21, Houston 10