Houston Texans, 19 Cincinnati Bengals, 13
The Texans dominated this game. However, the offense was unable to convert opportunities to touchdowns. The first half score was the most unrepresentative score I have even seen. The Texans leading only 9-7. The Bengals' sole TD a result of a staggeringly poor decision by QB Matt Schaub and the awesome ball skills of CB Leon Hall.
In the 3rd quarter, the Texans put together yet another solid drive and were finally able to punch it into the end zone with RB Arian Foster. They were unable to repeat the feat, but they luckily would not need to.
For the Bengals, A.J Green was shut out in the 1st half but showed his ability to take over a game in the 2nd. If QB Andy Dalton hadn't overthrown two clear touchdown opportunities, we would likely be talking about the most inexplicable Texans loss in their short history.
Overall, the game impressed most fans as a lose-to-New England-or-Denver contest. Missed opportunities, drops and poor red zone execution from both teams left a very lackluster flavor in fans' mouths. A competition to lose in the next round.
KEY PLAY: The 1 yard Foster run for the only Texan touchdown of the game. 420 yards of total offense and 1 TD has to worry a team going into New England. At least they can point to at least this one example of red zone execution.
MVP: RB Arian Foster was the difference, his 174 total yards kept the Houston D rested, his touchdown kept the scoreboard in Houston's favor.
Green Bay Packers, 24 Minnesota Vikings, 10
This game was a shame. The Vikings without a QB, the game was already decided before it began. NBC begrudgingly capped the first day of playoff football with a dull, non-competitive game that didn't even showcase the two divisional rivals' strengths. The Vikings could not run the ball with 8-9 in the box waiting for Peterson while the Packers had no need for massive aerial attack they are staffed for.
It's a shame for RB Adrian Peterson, who turned in one of the greatest rushing seasons of all time, that the Vikings season-long starting QB Christian Ponder cold not play in this game. "QB" Joe Webb who was exposed as nothing more than an emergency QB option, certainly not even an NFL back-up quality starter.
(29 Green Bay rushing attempts? 30 Joe Webb passing attempts? This is not what NBC signed up for).
Who was it not a shame for? Well, that would be Qb Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. The defense handled Peterson by devoting entirely to stop him as it became apparent Webb could not make the NFL throws. Yes, the Packers have to listen to sports media declare this a hollow victory, but I think they'll be fine- there are no hollow victories in the NFL playoffs. This was huge.
KEY PLAY: The 9-yard TD from Rodgers to FB John Kuhn was the dagger, not just for the play but for the statement that the 2nd half would be just as like the 1st, capping 6-minute drive to open the 3rd quarter and put the Packers up 21pts. The tone of a long, slow close-out.
MVP: QB Aaron Rodgers. He did not have to put up big numbers. In fact, Green Bay tried to run the ball and eat up clock but found Rodgers' arm, legs, decision making and plethora of weapons (he connected with 10 different receivers, a playoff record) were actually more of a game management tool than the running game. Rodgers is a dark horse in this playoff. We've heard much more about Brady, Manning, Rg3, Luck, Ryan, even Wilson and Kaepernick, but Rodgers could change that with a few more successful performances like this one.
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