NFL Playoff Predictions: How AFC North Will Go Undefeated in Wild Card Weekend

Of the final four teams remaining in the AFC, three will be from the AFC North. So even though the Patriots have home-field advantage, you could say the AFC championship runs through the AFC North as well as Foxboro.

On Saturday, the first of the AFC North triumphs will take place when the Cincinnati Bengals knock off the Houston Texans. If the Texans were healthy, I would go the other way on this one, but they are not.

They are down to their third-string QB in TJ Yates, there is no Mario Williams on the defensive line and Andre Johnson, though active, didn't look 100 percent in Week 17 against the Titans,

The Bengals defense has been strong against the run and pass all season. They rank ninth against the pass and 10th against the run. The Texans did defeat the Bengals in Week 11, 20-19, but since then, the Texans have lost three games in a row.

Houston's offense has sputtered and that has placed a ton of pressure on their capable, but tired defense. The Bengals limit mistakes and will punch the Texans in the mouth with their running game. The Texans will attempt to force Andy Dalton to make plays, and he will. Expect Jermaine Gresham to have a big game up the seams of the defense as the Texans attempt to take away A.J. Green.

Bengals 21, Texans 17

Steelers at Broncos

The Broncos cannot move the ball against the Steelers. Moreover, the Broncos defense has faltered ever since Brian Dawkins suffered a neck injury against the Bears. He has since come back, but neither he nor the Broncos defensive unit looks solid.

They were never given much of a break from the Broncos offense, and it is possible the unit has worn down. They can expect a Sunday full of three-and-outs this weekend as well.

The Steelers will continue to follow the blueprint of forcing Tim Tebow to his right to limit his effectiveness during roll-outs and scrambles. Big Ben will provide the big plays required after the run game establishes itself. Even short Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers' rushing attack is too physical to hold down when the Broncos offense won't establish enough long drives.

Isaac Redman and John Clay will tag-team the tired Broncos defense and get it done on the ground.

Steelers 30, Broncos 10