Just like that, the NFL season is over the postseason is here. The first matchups of the playoffs include a divisional matchup, as well as a battle between rookie quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers, who has a Super Bowl ring and an MVP award, will play on the first weekend, as will Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans, who are looking for their first championship.
AFC Wild Card, Saturday 4:30 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at Houston Texans (12-4)
The Houston Texans were in position to earn the No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs for most of the season, but stumbled to the finish with a loss against the Colts and now have to play during Wild Card weekend. The Texans also will be without home field advantage if they advance to play against the New England Patriots or the Denver Broncos down the line.
Houston looked like one of the best teams through the year, but appeared vulnerable on defense in losses against the Patriots, Vikings and Packers during the season. The Texans lost to New England 42-14 on Dec. 10 and rebounded to beat the Colts the following week, but ended the year with two straight losses.
Matt Schaub has been solid for the Texans this season, but the Bengals have an above-average secondary with Leon Hall, Adam Jones and Terrance Newman. Schaub has thrown for just three touchdowns over the past five games and was intercepted twice in the regular season finale against the Colts.
The Bengals enter the game after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 23-17 in the regular season finale and have some momentum after winning seven of their last eight games. Cincinnati started the streak with a dominating 31-13 win against the New York Giants and then won three straight games against AFC West opponents before losing to Dallas in Week 14.
Cincinnati has been impressive on both sides of the ball down the stretch, allowing 17 points or less in six of their last seven games. The team will be motivated after making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1982 and will be looking to shake off a playoff losing streak that dates back to 1991.
The Bengals and Texans played last season, with Houston coming out on top 31-10, but Cincinnati has been a more consistent team this year and will offer a tougher challenge. Last season quarterback Andy Dalton threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by J.J. Watt, giving the Texans momentum entering the second half. If he can take care of the ball and the Bengals can stick to the run, Houston will be forced in more man coverage's. Houston's defense has been excellent at causing turnovers, ranking second in the AFC with 29.
The front-line of the Bengals defense has been stellar this year with Geno Atkins (12.5 sacks) and defensive end Michael Johnson (11.5 sacks) and will try to disrupt the passing game for Schaub and wideout Andre Johnson. The Texans will need a big game from Arian Foster if the passing game can't get downfield on Cincinnati's cornerbacks.
Prediction: Houston 24, Cincinnati17. Houston seems primed for an upset loss after stumbling to the finish in the regular season, but the team will pull it together to make it out of the Wild Card round. Last season the Texans won without having Matt Schaub in the starting lineup after he suffered an injury, but this year he will be at full strength. The Texans defense has looked vulnerable at times this season, but J.J. Watt will step up to help ground the Cincinnati offense. The Bengals will be fighting history, as they are 0-5 all-time on the road in team playoff history.
NFC Wild Card, Saturday, 8 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings (10-6), Green Bay Packers (11-5)
The NFC North divisional rivals just played each other in the final game of the season, with the Vikings coming out on top 37-34 to earn a playoff berth. The postseason matchup will be the third time the two teams are playing over the past seven weeks, with the Packers winning the first contest 23-14 on Dec. 2.
Adrian Peterson just missed out on Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, but he will still be the main focus for the Vikings on offense and the primary piece the Packers attack on defense. The running back has gained over 400 yards in two meetings with the Packers and has been excellent staying on his feet after getting hit, gaining 230 yards after first contact against Green Bay in 2012 according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Green Bay hasn't had much of a running game all season and will rely on Aaron Rodgers to get things done. Things have been so mediocre in the backfield for the Packers that Rodgers is the second leading rusher with 259 yards and two touchdowns and the team hasn't had a 100-yard rushed in 43-straight games.
The quarterback was stellar in the finale against the Vikings, throwing for 365 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. Playing at home in Lambeau will be an advantage to the Packers, who should be at full strength with wide receivers Randall Cobb, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson.
Cobb has been a breakout star for the Packers this season, making 80 receptions for 954 yards and eight touchdowns. Rodgers and Cobb have been connecting well all season, with the quarterback completing 78.4 percent of his pass attempts thrown Cobb's way, which is second-highest rate for any quarterback-wide receiver duo with at least 50 attempts, according to ESPN.com.
The Vikings will have some momentum after winning the final four games of the season to make the playoffs, but the Packers have already defeated Minnesota once at home and has the capability to do it again. Minnesota will have the advantage in special teams with kicker Blair Walsh, who helped win the game with a field goal in Week 17. Walsh has been simply amazing as a rookie kicker, going 10-10 on attempts of 50 yards or more.
Green Bay lost in the finale to Minnesota, but has been just as hot down the stretch, winning four of the last five games, including a 55-7 blowout against Tennessee on Dec. 23. The Packers have been dominant throughout the second half of the season, winning nine of the last 11 games, losing only to the New York Giants and the Vikings in the regular season finale.
Prediction: Green Bay 28, Minnesota 14. Adrian Peterson will still put up big numbers on the Packers, but Rodgers and company will simply be better on Sunday. The last two times the teams played, Peterson gained 210 yards in the first game and added another 199 in the regular-season finale. The Packers won that first game and the playoffs should offer a similar result. The Green Bay defense has been spotty at times this season, but played much better down the stretch, allowing 20 points or less in four of the final five games of the year. Green Bay has gone just 2-4 in the past six home playoff games, but has the advantage with Rodgers, who has passed for 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions at home this season.
