Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) vs. Houston Texans (12-4)

Bengals – 22nd

Texans – 7th

Bengals – 6th

Texans – 7th

This is a statement game for both teams.  The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1991.  The Houston Texans were primed for home field advantage, but squandered that opportunity.  Both teams have had a defense first philosophy this year.  More so with the Bengals.  They will need to put pressure on Texans QB Matt Schaub and try to neutralize RB Arian Foster.  The Texans will need to watch out for the deep threat that Bengals QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green can provide.  If Texans DE J.J. Watt can cause havoc like he did last year when these two met, then it will be over quickly for the Bengals. 

Matchup to watch for: Bengals offense vs. Texans defense

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) vs. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

Vikings – 20th

Packers – 13th

Vikings – 16th

Packers – 11th

The third could be the charm for either one of these teams.  The Green Bay Packers I’m sure would love to knock out their division rivals after the Vikings took away the Packers chance of having a first round bye.  This will be even more difficult for the Vikings as the Packers know exactly what their gameplan will be.  Get the ball to Adrian Peterson.  If he can run for over 150 yards, the Packers will be reeling.  Time of possession will be a key for the Packers. If they can keep QB Aaron Rodgers up right and not have Adrian Peterson run all over them.  The Packers should be able to move on.  If not it will be another offseason of ‘what if’ for Green Bay.

Matchup to watch for: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson vs. Packers defense

Indianapolis Colts (11-5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

Colts – 10th

Ravens – 16th

Colts – 26th

Ravens – 17th

I’m sure the Baltimore Ravens fans don’t want to see the Indianapolis Colts.  After all this is the team that started in Baltimore and their previous QB Peyton Manning used to destroy the Ravens.  Now the Colts have another 1st overall pick in QB Andrew Luck who can do the same.  The Ravens will have their leader LB Ray Lewis back for this game.  But will it matter?  The Ravens have looked sluggish on defense even when he was out there.  And the Ravens offense has been so inconsistent that it will help the Colts if QB Joe Flacco gets flustered early.  If the Colts can score early on the Ravens, it could be a long day for Baltimore.

Matchup to watch for: Colts QB Andrew Luck vs. Ravens defense

Seattle Seahawks (11-5) vs. Washington Redskins (10-6)

Seahawks – 17th

Redskins – 5th

Seahawks – 4th

Redskins – 28th

This probably isn’t the matchup Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll wanted.  He had trouble with a running QB at USC when Texas QB Vince Young single handedly defeated Carroll’s Trojans for the national title.  Now he has to deal with an even better QB in Redskins rookie Robert Griffin.  Both the Seahawks and Redskins want to establish the run early and take away the defense’s momentum.  Whoever can do that first will be declared the victors. Both of these teams have had hot streaks going into the playoffs and whoever wins will have a lot of momentum going into the divisional round.

Matchup to watch for: Seahawks defense vs. Redskins QB Robert Griffin