Around The NFL.....Playoff Edition.

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Kansas City at Houston

When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 9, 2016
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas


The two hottest teams in the NFL kick off the AFC wild-card round on Saturday as the Kansas City Chiefs look to extend their franchise-best 10-game winning streak when they visit the AFC South-champion Houston Texans. Kansas City rebounded from a horrid 1-5 start to run the remainder of the regular-season table and push Denver to the limit before the Broncos claimed the AFC West title on Sunday.

Spencer Ware rushed for his team-leading sixth touchdown in Kansas City's 23-17 victory over Oakland on Sunday, but the 24-year-old was on the practice squad when the Chiefs posted a 27-20 victory over Houston on Sept. 13. Jamaal Charles' season-ending ACL injury a month later expanded the workload of Charcandrick West and Ware while Alex Smith's conservative passing game helped Kansas City advance to the postseason for the second time in three years. While the Chiefs are favored on the road, the Texans have won three straight to unseat Indianapolis as the AFC South champion. Brian Hoyer, who was benched in the Week 1 loss to Kansas City, threw for 249 yards and a touchdown on Sunday as Houston claimed its first division title since 2012 with a 30-6 rout of Jacksonville.

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Chiefs -3.5. O/U: 40

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (11-5): Smith tossed two of his three touchdown passes to Travis Kelce in the win over Houston, with the tight end making six catches for a season-high 106 yards. Jeremy Maclin was limited to five receptions for 52 yards in that contest but has settled in as Smith's go-to receiver after finding the end zone six times in the last six games - including once in each of the past three weeks. Maclin suffered a bruised hip versus the Raiders but returned to finish that contest and is expected to play on Saturday.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (9-7): Stud defensive end J.J. Watt shed the cast on his broken left hand and registered three sacks versus the Jaguars on Sunday to finish the season with an NFL-best 17.5. Whitney Mercilus tied a career high with 3 1/2 last week and set a personal best with 12 this season for Houston, which recorded a franchise-best 45 sacks. Pro Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins (career-high 111 catches, 1,521 yards, 11 touchdowns) began his breakout season with nine catches for 98 yards and two scores versus the Chiefs.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas City LB Justin Houston sat out the team's final five games with a knee injury but could be in line to return versus the Texans - against whom he forced a fumble that led to a touchdown in the opener.

2. Houston RB Alfred Blue (team-leading 698 yards) rushed for 102 yards last week but was limited to just 42 on nine carries in Week 1.

3. The Chiefs have lost eight straight postseason games.





ATS Trends

Kansas City

Chiefs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games. Chiefs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game. Chiefs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. Chiefs are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 Saturday games. Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in January. Chiefs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Chiefs are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 playoff games.

Houston

Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win. Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Texans are 5-1-2 ATS in their last 8 games in January. Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass. Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game. Texans are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall. Texans are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Texans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. AFC. Texans are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points. Texans are 17-8-1 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Texans are 21-10 ATS in their last 31 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Texans are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.

OU Trends

Kansas City

Over is 3-0-1 in Chiefs last 4 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game. Under is 5-1 in Chiefs last 6 Saturday games. Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games in January. Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games following a ATS loss. Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Over is 3-1-1 in Chiefs last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Under is 8-3-1 in Chiefs last 12 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Over is 5-2-1 in Chiefs last 8 road games.

Houston

Under is 5-0 in Texans last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Under is 4-1 in Texans last 5 home games. Under is 6-2-1 in Texans last 9 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 6-2 in Texans last 8 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game. Under is 14-5 in Texans last 19 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points. Over is 11-4 in Texans last 15 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game. Under is 5-2 in Texans last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Over is 13-6 in Texans last 19 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Over is 15-7 in Texans last 22 games following a ATS win.

Head to Head

Road team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Houston. Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Houston.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

When: 8:15 PM ET, Saturday, January 9, 2016
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio




The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in familiar territory, squeezing into the playoffs as the sixth seed and challenging the AFC North-champion Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round. The Steelers made the most of that situation 10 years ago by winning the Super Bowl, and it's a path they'd like to travel again when they visit Paul Brown Stadium on Saturday.

Pittsburgh's high-octane offense looks to lead the way as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday in a 28-12 victory over Cleveland. Antonio Brown (career-high 136 receptions and 1,834 yards) had 187 yards versus the Browns on 13 catches, but he totaled that many receptions as the Steelers and Bengals each claimed a road contest in the series. While Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have won four of five to enter the playoffs, the Bengals are making their fifth consecutive postseason appearance with a question under center. While second-year backup AJ McCarron is expected to play on Saturday, Andy Dalton is inching toward a return - perhaps as early as next week should Cincinnati advance - after fracturing his thumb in the Bengals' 33-20 loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 13.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Steelers -2.5. O/U: 46.5

ABOUT THE STEELERS (10-6): While Pittsburgh's vaunted aerial attack is raring to go, its rushing game could be a sore spot as veteran DeAngelo Williams' ankle injury may play a major role on Saturday. Williams (team-leading 907 yards, 11 touchdowns) is listed as day-to-day while coach Mike Tomlin reportedly is considering Fitzgerald Toussaint (42 yards) and journeyman Jordan Todman (22 yards) in the gameplan. The Steelers only have to look to their first-round contest last year, when the absence of Le'Veon Bell led to a limited ground attack - and an early exit at the hands of arch-rival Baltimore.

ABOUT THE BENGALS (12-4): A.J. Green reeled in a season-high 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in Cincinnati's 16-10 win over Pittsburgh on Nov. 1 before adding six catches for 132 yards and a score in the latter meeting. While Green led the team with 86 receptions and 1,297 yards, his 10 touchdowns were only eclipsed by tight end Tyler Eifert (13). Jeremy Hill overcame a sluggish start to record six touchdowns in his last seven games, but he was limited to just 76 yards on 22 carries collectively in two meetings with the Steelers.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Pittsburgh T Marcus Gilbert originally tweeted on Dec. 13 that he "would love to see (the Bengals) in the playoffs where they choke." The tweet has since been deleted.

2. Bengals S Reggie Nelson finished tied with Kansas City rookie CB Marcus Peters for the league lead with eight interceptions.

3. The Steelers registered 48 sacks, good enough for the third-highest total in the league.



ATS Trends


Pittsburgh
•Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
• Steelers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games in January.
• Steelers are 12-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Steelers are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Steelers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.
• Steelers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 playoff games.
• Steelers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Steelers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.






Cincinnati
•Bengals are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Bengals are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Bengals are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Bengals are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
• Bengals are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up win.
• Bengals are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Bengals are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
• Bengals are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 vs. AFC.
• Bengals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
• Bengals are 17-7-2 ATS in their last 26 home games.
• Bengals are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games.
• Bengals are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games in January.
• Bengals are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 playoff games.
• Bengals are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 Wildcard games.





OU Trends


Pittsburgh
•Over is 4-0 in Steelers last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Over is 5-0-1 in Steelers last 6 Wildcard games.
• Over is 4-0 in Steelers last 4 playoff road games.
• Under is 7-0-1 in Steelers last 8 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
• Over is 4-0 in Steelers last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 6-1-1 in Steelers last 8 vs. AFC North.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Steelers last 7 Saturday games.
• Over is 17-4-1 in Steelers last 22 playoff games.
• Over is 20-5-1 in Steelers last 26 games in January.
• Over is 4-1 in Steelers last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 7-2 in Steelers last 9 road games.
• Under is 9-3-1 in Steelers last 13 games following a straight up win.
• Over is 6-2 in Steelers last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Under is 10-4-1 in Steelers last 15 vs. AFC.
• Under is 13-6-1 in Steelers last 20 games overall.






Cincinnati
•Under is 4-0 in Bengals last 4 games in January.
• Under is 6-0 in Bengals last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 6-1 in Bengals last 7 vs. AFC.
• Under is 5-1 in Bengals last 6 games overall.
• Under is 5-1 in Bengals last 6 games following a straight up win.
• Under is 4-1 in Bengals last 5 home games.
• Under is 4-1 in Bengals last 5 games on fieldturf.
• Under is 4-1 in Bengals last 5 vs. AFC North.
• Over is 13-5 in Bengals last 18 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
• Under is 7-3 in Bengals last 10 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.





Head to Head


•Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
• Steelers are 16-4-1 ATS in their last 21 meetings in Cincinnati.
• Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Cincinnati.
• Road team is 19-9-1 ATS in their last 29 meetings.

 

[Greenbacks]

Alex Smith was initially stumped when asked if he knew who the Chiefs quarterback was the last time they won a playoff game. Then he blurted the answer: Joe Montana, who led the Chiefs to a 28-20 win over the Houston Oilers in January of 1994. The Chiefs have lost eight playoff games since.

 

[Greenbacks]

No NFL team has gone longer in terms of years since its last playoff win than Cincinnati

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Power Rankings: Last of regular seasonshare

[/h]The Cardinals took the top spot from the Panthers last week, but now the roles are reversed, as Carolina is back at No. 1 in time to claim the regular-season "title."

 

[Greenbacks]

Redskins to give 'You like that?!' towels

Washington will give away Kirk-Cousins-inspired rally towels that say "You like that?!" at the team's first-round playoff game vs. Green Bay on Sunday. A Redskins spokesperson said "thousands" of towels will be given out at FedEx Field.

 

[Greenbacks]

Exactly 25 years ago today, Boomer Esiason threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in a 41-14 wild-card round Bengals win over the Houston Oilers. ... Cincinnati hasn't won a playoff game since. Will that change Saturday when AJ McCarron (likely) leads the Bengals against the Steelers?

 

[Greenbacks]

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton won his fifth NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award for his four touchdown performance (two rushing, two passing) against Tampa Bay. The five awards tied Newton with Tom Brady (2007) for the most in a season.

 

[Greenbacks]

QBs A.J. McCarron and Ben Roethlisberger face off Saturday in a wild-card playoff game, but McCarron remembers meeting Big Ben as an impressionable 13-year-old. The momento? A sweaty wristband.

 

[Greenbacks]

On the playoff bye week, Bill Belichick doesn't have an opening statement at his news conference. He arrives and asks, "What's the big story?" Later, Belichick praised RB Steven Jackson's work ethic, saying one might think he is a rookie based on his approach.

 

[Greenbacks]

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said he's spoken to receiver Martavis Bryant privately about his playoff message. Roethlisberger told Bryant on the radio this week to "toughen up." Roethlisberger said his intention was to build up a talented player that the Steelers need for the playoff run.

 

[Greenbacks]

Lil Jon's hit song "Turn Down for What" has become a staple for J.J. Watt moments in Houston, and on Saturday during the Texans' wild-card game against the Chiefs, the rapper will perform the song live at halftime

 

[Greenbacks]

Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after recording 8 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFLs, 4 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FF and 1 FR on Sunday!

 

[Greenbacks]

Are Packers equipped to slow Cousins?

Kirk Cousins completed a league-best 69.8% of his passes this season. But Packers opponents completed 58.3% of their passes this season, the fourth lowest rate in the NFL.

 

[Greenbacks]

Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (foot) is on the field rehabbing. His target date to practice is Monday. WR Ted Ginn Jr (knee) also is rehabbing. Both are expected to be ready for the Jan. 17 playoff game.

 

[Greenbacks]

Bengals are in uniform for practice for the first time this week. QB Andy Dalton and H-back Ryan Hewitt are not dressed out.

 

[Greenbacks]

[h=1]Redskins looking to buck their own trend

[/h]

Washington was 0-3 against teams that finished the season above .500, losing by at least 14 points in all three games (Jets, Patriots, Panthers). The Redskins are the only playoff team without a win against a team with a winning record.

 

[Greenbacks]

Redskins practice update: For one of the few times this season every player is participating during individual work, including newly-signed corner Cary Williams.

 

[Greenbacks]

The resoodding process at the Panthers' Bank of America Stadium is in progress. Should be done by tomorrow.

 

[Greenbacks]

Patriots QB Tom Brady talks about reading a "cool quote" that sums up his feelings: "I didn't come this far to only come this far."