Bengals vs. Texans: TV Schedule, Live Stream and More for 2012 AFC Wild Card

The 2012 NFL postseason kicks off with the AFC South champion Houston Texans hosting their first playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

The Bengals did not end the season on a high note thanks to five losses in their last eight games, but they were still able to backdoor into the playoffs. They will be trying to avenge their last-second loss to the Texans in Week 14. 

The Texans' season was going along great until Matt Schaub went down with a season-ending foot injury. They lost three straight games to finish the season as the No. 3 seed in the AFC. They still have a great running game and defense to make up for what they are lacking at the quarterback position. 

Where: Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas

When: Saturday, Jan. 7 at 4:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: NBC; replay available via Game Rewind package on NFL.com (minimum $19.99 payment).

Listen: ESPN Radio 1530 (Cincinnati); KILT 100.3 FM, 610 AM (Houston); live audio streaming available via Audio Pass on NFL.com (minimum $14.99 payment).

Betting Line: Houston (-3)

The standard line for any game is three points for the home team, and it is hard to argue with it in this case. These two teams are so evenly matched that the only thing separating them is the fact that Houston is playing at home. 

Bengals Injury Report (via Rotoworld.com)

Probable: QB Andy Dalton (illness)

Out: WR Andre Caldwell (groin), G Bobbie Williams (ankle), DL Pat Sims (ankle), DB Leon Hall (achilles)

Texans Injury Report (via Rotoworld.com)

Probable: QB T.J. Yates (shoulder)

Out: P Brett Hartmann (knee), QB Matt Leinart (clavicle), QB Matt Schaub (foot), LB Mario Williams (pectorals)

How The Bengals Got Here

The Bengals were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season. After winning just four games in 2010, trading Chad Ochocinco and everything that went down with Carson Palmer, there were not a lot of expectations for them this year. 

But the rookie duo of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green developed faster than anyone could have imagined, and the defense finished seventh in yards allowed. 

How The Texans Got Here

After years of flirting with contention, the Texans finally broke through thanks to some free agent upgrades on defense and a great running back combination in Arian Foster and Ben Tate. They won their first division title in franchise history and set a team record for wins in a season with 10. 

It is not an ideal situation with Matt Schaub out but they are strong enough in other areas to win a game or two this postseason. 

What They Are Saying

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is doing his best to keep his players' attention focused on this game and not the way that they finished the season. 

From ESPN.com:

"

"That season’s over. We just closed that one up and we’re in the new season now," Lewis said. "This is what you all worked very, very hard to get this opportunity to do. Our ultimate goal is still ahead of us. You want to be world champions.” 

"

Texans quarterback T.J. Yates has been thrown into the fire in his rookie season thanks to injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. He knows that there is a lot of pressure on him but he sounds like he is ready to lead this team. 

From HoustonTexans.com:

"

“There is a lot of stuff going around the organization, hype, getting ready for the playoffs and how we’ve played recently,” Yates said. “But this team is ready to play. We had a great day of practice today. Everybody has one focus, getting ready for the game on Saturday.”

"

Bengals Player To Watch: WR Jerome Simpson

Andy Dalton has struggled in recent weeks, so he is going to need his receivers to step up and make plays in order to take pressure off of him early. 

A.J. Green is going to command more attention, but Simpson is the X-factor. He has the speed and big-play ability to run by the Texans' secondary. He needs to step up his effort in this game for the Bengals to have a chance to win. 

Texans Player To Watch: WR Andre Johnson

Everyone knows that the Texans' weak spot is at quarterback. But one thing that does help T.J. Yates is having Johnson back on the outside ready to make plays. 

He has battled two different hamstring injuries all season, but he is back now and ready to make his presence felt in his first playoff game. 

Yates has to target Johnson regularly in this game to make sure that the Bengals respect his receiving abilities. 

Key Matchup: Andy Dalton vs. Texans Defense

This game is going to come down to how many plays Dalton can make. The Texans finished the season third in pass yards allowed per game (189.7) and sixth in sacks (44). 

If Dalton can't find his rhythm early in this game, the Bengals are going to fall behind and it will be difficult for them to come back because they don't possess a quick-strike offense. 

Prediction

These two teams played a one-point game four weeks ago, and we could see a score similar to that one. But the result will still be the same: Houston wins. 

Texans 23, Bengals 20

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