AFC Wild Card Weekend Predictions: Bengals/Texans and Steelers/Broncos
By Blake Lovell
It’s time once again for our wild card predictions here on NFL Spin Zone.
Yesterday, we gave you our thoughts on the NFC matchups that are set to take place this weekend, and now it’s time to take a look at the AFC slate.
Let’s get right to it!
SATURDAY
#6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at #3 Houston Texans (10-6) – 4:30 PM ET, NBC
Josh Sanchez – This is a really fun matchup. Both teams have very good defenses and their offenses are capable of putting up the points. When all is said and done, it comes down to the quarterbacks in this one. Which inexperienced signal-caller, Andy Dalton or TJ Yates, will be able to make fewer mistakes? You have to go with Dalton there. He has showed unbelievable poise for a rookie quarterback and is my personal pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Dalton has done a great job this season and will do enough to get the Bengals past the wildcard round.
Prediction: Bengals 20, Texans 17
Blake Lovell – Of all of the wild card games on the schedule, this might be the one that is the most unpredictable. I would obviously have more faith in the Texans if Matt Shaub were under center, but if Yates can simply manage the game, they’ll be fine there. When these two met in Week 14, Yates had a great game. Marvin Lewis and company will make that harder for him to do this time around. If the Bengals can keep Arian Foster in check like they did a few weeks ago, they’ll advance to the next round.
Prediction: Bengals 20, Texans 14
SUNDAY
#5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at #4 Denver Broncos (8-8) – 4:30 PM ET, CBS
Josh Sanchez – I really don’t see this one being close at all. Tebow is just not a NFL quarterback and he has shown that down the stretch. This week he gets the number one defense in the league and they will beat him up as long as the game goes. This game has blowout written all over it. At the end of the day, Pittsburgh will put an end to Tebowmania as Tebow leaves Mile High in his last start ever for the Broncos.
Prediction: Steelers 31, Broncos 6
Blake Lovell – The Steelers are going to win this game. Tebow’s throwing patterns can’t be fixed in one week. The Broncos are going to need to rely more on Willis McGahee, which is a bit of problem considering how tough the Steelers are against the run. The only way I can see the Broncos winning is if they make a few plays defensively that give the offense good field position. This will be closer than people think, but the Steelers will still control the game and win.
Prediction: Steelers 24, Broncos 13
Well there’s our picks. Now we want to hear what you have to say! Hit us up on our Facebook page and let us know who you think is victorious in this weekend’s NFC matchups.
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