NFL Playoffs 2013

I have no delusions about the Bengals. I want you all to know that.

Here is what my gut tells me about these games.

Cincinnati vs. HOUSTON
Saturday, 4:30 pm

The Houston Texans are ready to be upset. The Texans have played poorly and, perhaps more importantly, uninspired football over the past SEVEN WEEKS. At the same time,  Houston is a team that has a short-term track record of being very competent but a long-term record of choking and underachieving. If a team like the Giants (there are no other teams like the Giants) that I felt had a sense of when it's time to show up were playing like this, I wouldn't be worried but Houston hasn't earned that respect.

Another reason I wouldn't be worried? If the Texans are playing the Bengals.

Cincinnati continues to detox from the Palmer/Chad Johnson years with a remarkably not flashy offense and an shockingly solid defense. The Bengals play "the right way" now which is something Bengals fans aren't used to. It's nice to see regular things happen on a football field (like not fumbling punts, making easy game-winning field goals, stopping the other team on third down occasionally...).

That said, playing this way is still new to them. This Bengals team is still full of children basically. If I were going to pick against the Texans, I want to have the feeling that the other team has someone with something up his sleeve...something he knows that you don't. I don't get that feeling here. You can tell that the Bengals are still super excited when they do the mundane things that win games...and so am I. To be a true contender though, you can't get that amped up about routine things. It's a sign that they are still in the phase of learning how to win as opposed to knowing how.

That combined with the fact that this Texans team would be the best team that the Dalton/Green Bengals have ever beaten lead me to be less than optimistic about this game. Still, I'm excited.

28-20, Houston

The rest...

Vikings vs. PACKERS
Saturday, 8:00 pm

31-28, Packers

Colts vs. RAVENS
Sunday, 1:00 pm

31-10, Ravens

Seahawks vs. REDSKINS
Sunday, 4:30 pm

24-17, Seahawks