Houston Texans Report Card: Grading Thier Performance vs. Cincinnati Bengals

There is only one grade to give this entire Houston Texans team for their performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.

A+ (+++++++++...you get the point).

The Texans were firing on all cylinders on their way to a 31-10 victory over the Bengals in the team's first ever playoff game.

Defensively, this was just another day at the office for this Houston Texans defense.

On all levels, the defensive line, the linebackers and the secondary, the Texans played exceptionally well.

The defensive line came up with three of the the four sacks for the Texans (DE J.J. Watt, NT Earl Mitchell, DE Antonio Smith).

They consistently created penetration to keep pressure on QB Andy Dalton.

Smith also came up with five tackles, including three for a loss.

However, DE J.J. Watt stole the spotlight with a game-changing pick-six late in the second quarter.

Watt used his massive hands to pick the pass out of the air and return it for the TD. At this point in the game, Houston was pretty much stagnant and were content with going into the half with just the tie.

Watt was having none of that. His individual effort alone set this team up for the eventual route of the Bengals in the second half. 

The linebackers, led by Pro Bowl snub Brian Cushing, were critical in keeping the Bengals rushing attack at bay.

They consistently were plugging up rushing lanes and not letting any Bengal ball carrier get too far.

The secondary absolutely shut down any threat through the air...not a single player had more than 47 yards receiving for Cincinnati.

There were 27 passes caught but the Texans did a great job of stopping any chance for yards after the catch, as the Bengals only got 5.3 yards per pass compared the the 7.6 yards the Texans averaged.

The Texans are loaded with textbook tacklers and that was the key to stopping the passing attack.

And, needless to say, CB Johnathan Joseph got the best of rookie WR A.J. Green as Green was targeted 12 times and only caught the ball five times.

Offensively, the Texans executed the game plan to perfection and the scoreboard showed it.

Arian Foster ran for 153 yards on 24 carries and two TDs.

Foster showed off his quick acceleration and great field vision all game.

His acceleration after making his cut was incredible, as the Bengals defense had no answer for the Texans' stretch running plays.

His performance was just what Houston needed.

Foster's effectiveness allowed rookie QB T.J. Yates to have an easier time getting the ball to his targets, particularly WR Andre Johnson.

The rookie QB out of North Carolina connected with Andre Johnson for a huge 50-yard TD pass after Johnson took CB Adam "Pacman" Jones to school on the double move.

All the success of this offense started in the trenches.

The Texans offensive line played their best game of the season as T.J. Yates went virtually unscathed all game and they set up a wall of blocking for Arian Foster to run behind.

This game could not have gone much better and the Texans' season goes on.

Next up are the Ravens in Baltimore and if the Texans play like they did on Saturday, they will have a good chance to take down the Ravens and play in the AFC championship game.