NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: 4 Things to Know for Saturday's Games

To me, Wild Card weekend is the best weekend of NFL action. The games are the most competitive and are in sudden death, playoff atmospheres. 

However, because the games are so competitive and you never know how players will respond in a playoff enviornment, Wild Card games can be among the most difficult to predict.

No need to worry; here are four things you can count on happening during Saturday's games. 

Owen Daniels' Presence Will Be Huge for Texans

When the Bengals and Texans met about a month ago, the Bengals did not have to worry about Andre Johnson. 

Now, with Johnson back in the fold, it will open things up for Owen Daniels, who has quietly emerged as one of the best tight ends in football. The Bengals' safeties, who are mostly considered to be a liability, will struggle to run with Daniels. 

A.J. Green Will Be Tested Against Jonathan Joseph

A.J. Green has exploded onto the scene as a rookie. Unfortunately for him and the Bengals offense, he will face the second best corner in football, Jonathan Joseph. 

If Joseph can get the best of Green, he will allow the Texans defense to roll its coverage to secondary receivers, making life even harder for Andy Dalton. 

The Saints Will Be Too Balanced for the Lions

We know that both of these teams can light up the scoreboard. The difference is that the Saints can do it in multiple ways, while the Lions are dependent on a great game from Stafford. 

The Saints will give the Lions a healthy and disciplined dose of the running game, where they will likely be successful against an undisciplined Lions defense. This will limit Stafford's opportunities to score. 

New Orleans Will Play More "Vanillia" Looks on Defense

The Saints have quietly made a philosophical shift on defense as of late. Realizing that their offense can put up a ton of points on just about anybody, they have adopted more use of conservative playcalls to frustrate offenses. 

This also mean that is takes teams longer to drive down the field, which eats up clock and makes it even more difficult to keep up with the Saints. Expect them to use a similar philosophy against the Lions.