Bengals Vs Texans: Bigger game than most may think + Playoff predictions

First of all, I'd like to apologize for not posting anything last week, but whatever, you know what they say; Shit happens when you party naked.


Alright boys and girls, back to buisness. So this saturday's early playoff game at 4:30 Eastern time is the Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Lately I've been hearing a bunch of things about this matchup and here are some examples;
"this game is just a standard game none of these teams are going any where" - Dan Le Batard (Miami Herald)
"this is a standard game, its just how the seeding worked out, this game will have no relevance to the teams they play for whoever moves on" - Colin Cowherd


Well, I may agree that even as a Bengals fan, it may not be the most exciting matchup ever, I'm 100% sure that most people would rather watch the Saints and Lions or Giants and Falcons, BUT this game is bigger than people may think it is. Here's why:


IF the Bengals win: they would play one of the worst ranked pass defences of all time against the Patriots. While Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker may appear to be unstoppable as an offence, their defence is quite beatable; Only 4 times this season, they have given up less than 20 points.
I don't necessarily think the Bengals would win that game, but this is the NFL and crazier things have happened. Also this would set up a Ravens vs Steelers (should the Steelers beat the Broncos) and lets face it, these are the best games ever in the playoffs, both teams bring intensity and a lot heart. In some cases, Ravens vs. Steelers in the playoffs is better and more entertaining than the Super Bowl.


IF the Texans win: they would play the Ravens, this would be probably the most defensive game throughout the playoffs unless the Superbowl would be SanFran vs. Steelers/Ravens/Texans. I don't know about all of you who are reading this, but me, I love a good defensive football game. It means every point is crucial and could end up costing one of the teams the game. I'm all for cheering against the AFC north division rivals of the Bengals, but I'd cheer for the Ravens in that one. Assuming the Steelers beat the Broncos and Pats, that would mean a Ravens vs. Steelers for a shot at the Super Bowl.


Now, does everyone understand that this game has a lot of significance?


Predictions:


Wild Card:
Bengals at Texans -- 24 - 21 Bengals win
Steelers at Broncos -- 31 - 17 Steelers win
Lions at Saints -- 45 - 21 Saints win
Falcons at Giants -- 27 - 17 Giants win


Divisional:
Bengals at Patriots -- 35 - 31 Patriots win
Steelers at Ravens -- 17 - 14 Ravens win
Saints at 49ers -- 28 - 27 Saints win
Giants at Packers -- 41 - 35 Packers win


Confrence:
Ravens at Patriots -- 28 - 24 Ravens win
Saints at Packers -- 45 - 42 Saints win


Super Bowl:
Ravens Vs Saints -- 24 - 23 Ravens win


So there you have it, my 2012 NFL playoff predictions, agree/disagree? share, comment and keep reading!


Until next time, Stay classy, and may the force be with you.


Matty-O