Bengals vs. Texans: Comparing Andre Johnson to A.J. Green

The Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans play in an AFC wild-card matchup this Saturday.

The game features two of the best receivers the NFL has to offer: the Cincinnati Bengals' A.J. Green and Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans. The receivers will likely play the biggest role in deciding the outcome of the game.

Green and Johnson are eerily similar players, and comparisons will happen throughout their respective careers.

Johnson played for Miami University at the collegiate level, and won various awards including being named the Rose Bowl co-MVP. Green played for Georgia and won several awards as well.

Johnson is a proven veteran, and arguably the best receiver in football besides Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. Green is a rookie who has single-handedly made a rookie quarterback look great while carrying his team into the postseason.

Physically, the inevitable comparisons are certainly warranted. Johnson is a physical monster standing at 6’3" and weighing 226 pounds. Green is a lighter version of Johnson, measuring in at 6’4" and weighing 207.

Both players are great at out-jumping defenders to bring the ball down, and both have deceptively fast speed in the open field. Johnson brings more physicality after the catch while Green so far has proven more elusive.

Even the entrance into the league is strikingly similar for the duo. Johnson was selected third overall in the 2003 NFL draft, while Green was selected fourth overall in the 2011 NFL draft.

Johnson was selected a year after the Texans went 4-12, not to mention it was only the debut season of Houston as an NFL franchise. Green was selected by a Bengals team coming off a 4-12 season and a franchise quarterback walking out on the team.

The comparisons become a little lopsided when comparing rookie seasons. In Johnson’s rookie year the Texans managed to muster a 5-11 record. In Green’s rookie year the Bengals are 9-7 and in the postseason with a chance to advance further.

Statistically, Johnson posted 66 receptions for 976 yards and four touchdowns his rookie season. Green recorded 65 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. It is important to note that Johnson participated in a full 16 games his rookie season while Green has missed one game and three quarters of another due to injury.

2004 was widely considered to be Johnson’s breakout year. He caught 79 balls for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns. It’s safe to say 2011 has been Green’s coming-out party, and the numbers are yet again eerily similar.

Johnson has been named to the Pro Bowl five times, but failed to do so in his rookie campaign. Green was selected to the Pro Bowl this season despite being a rookie.

Character and personality are also admirable traits Johnson and Green share. Both receivers are selfless and humble, even in adversity. They both represent a new-era receiver when compared to the antics and selfish attitudes of the showboating receivers of the past decade.

The only major difference is age. Johnson is 30 while Green is only 23. In the NFL, 30 seems to be an age where players begin to regress. It’s hard to believe Johnson’s best years are behind him, but it’s certain Green has yet to play his best.

Saturday represents a rare opportunity for NFL fans to see two elite receivers face off in the most important game either has ever played. Games such as these are where legacies are built or shattered.

The pivotal approaching showdown could represent the proverbial “passing of the torch” from Johnson to Green, or it could represent Johnson further cementing his status as the best in the league.

Regardless of the outcome, the real winners are NFL fans everywhere.