NFL Playoff Bracket 2012: Key to Victory for Every Team in Wild Card Round

Football games have a way of taking on themes as the game progresses. Perhaps the game comes down to one team struggling on special teams. Maybe the game hinges on one player taking advantage of a favorable matchup and leading his team to victory.

Whatever the case may be, we often remember one or two key themes from a football game. This weekend's slate of Wild Card games won't be any different.

Here is one key for every team if they hope to be victorious this weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Key for Bengals: Shut down Arian Foster and the Texans running game.

If the Bengals can force rookie quarterback T.J. Yates to beat them in the air, they should win the game. But if the Texans get their running game going, the Texans will be victorious.

Key for Texans: Don't let A.J. Green beat them deep.

Even if the Texans struggle to run the ball, their defense should keep the game close and give them the opportunity to win. But not if they allow exciting rookie receiver A.J. Green to get behind them in coverage and make big plays.

Green had 14 catches over 25 yards (seventh in the NFL) this season. If T.J. Yates struggles and the Texans find limited success running the ball, it will be up to the defense to shutdown the Bengals and lead the Texans to victory. Any long touchdowns for A.J. Green will make that task all the more difficult.

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

Key for Lions: Win the turnover battle and limit penalties.

The Saints are going to move the ball when they have it. No offense in the NFL accumulated more yards this year, after all.

But if the Lions can tilt the possession battle in their favor, they might have a chance to outscore the Saints. If they lose the turnover battle, they can kiss their chances at the upset goodbye.

When these teams first met, the Lions had 11 penalties for 107 yards. It's hard enough to beat the Saints playing your A-game, let alone when you beat yourself with penalties and turnovers.

Key for Saints: Make someone other than Calvin Johnson beat them.

When these two teams met in Week 13, the Saints held Johnson to six receptions for 69 yards and no touchdowns. The result?

A 31-17 Saints victory.

If you are going to go down to the Lions, don't do so at the hands of Megatron.

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Key for Falcons: Work the clock.

This game could become a shootout very quickly given the explosive nature of these offenses. With Eli Manning and the big-play capabilities of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, the Giants might come out on top in such a game.

For the Falcons, the surest way to victory is balance on offense and winning the time of possession battle. It will keep their defense fresh and wear out the Giants defense.

And more importantly, it will keep the game from devolving into the unpredictability of a shootout.

Key for Giants: Stymie the Falcons running game.

But don't take my word for it. Here is what Justin Tuck told Mike Francesa of WFAN on Monday:

"

“I think they can be explosive at times. They are a balanced attack where they do a lot of things pretty good. I wouldn’t say they are great at anything. It’s a football team with a lot of studs on it. Matt Ryan. Michael Turner. Tony Gonzalez is one of the best tight ends to ever play the game. Julio Jones. Roddy White. He’s got a lot of weapons that he can distribute the ball to, so we are going to have make sure we take this thing one play at a time and one game at a time and make sure we start it out by trying to take out Michael Turner. If they are able to run the football and get Matt Ryan comfortable in the pocket with some short downs and distances where it allows him to scan the field and throw the football like that and keep our defense off rhythm then they are going to be tough to beat. It starts with making sure we hold our own in that running game.”

"

My thoughts exactly, Justin.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Key for Steelers: Stop the run.

If the Steelers force Tim Tebow to beat them through the air, they will win this game. It's as simple as that.

If the Broncos can establish the run, however, then they will have a chance.

Key for Broncos: Pressure Roethlisberger and force interceptions.

We know that Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller can get after the quarterback. We also know that for the Broncos to have a chance in this game, they will probably need to create scoring opportunities with their defense and special teams.

Realistically, they can do just that with their pass rush. If the Broncos can pressure Big Ben and force a few turnovers in the process, they might just give their offense and Tim Tebow enough scoring chances to pull off the upset.

But without a little help from his friends, Tebow won't be able to work any miracles against this defense.

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