NFL Playoffs, Wild Card Round: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Since the Bears are officially engaged in a different type of game - namely, heading south and breaking out the golf clubs, or playing armchair quarterback like so many of us - we have to watch other teams in the playoffs. Today's first game involves the Cincinnati Bengals, making their second consecutive playoff appearance and first back-to-back playoff appearances since 1981-82, and the Houston Texans, likewise making their first back-to-back playoff appearances in ever.

Matt Schaub makes his first career playoff start since T.J. Yates stole the spotlight last year (also, Schaub was injured, so that might have had something to do with it. Andy Dalton played like he should have been taken out, looking for redemption after throwing three interceptions and being sacked four times.

And for some more linkage and information...

AFC Wild Card: Bengals vs. Texans

SB Nation blog: Cincy Jungle | Battle Red Blog

Game Date/Time: Saturday, Jan. 5, 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV Schedule: NBC
Announcers: Dan Hicks, Mike Mayock
NFL odds: Texans -4
NFL picks: Bengals, 20-16

More reading:

• The best show on TV
• NFL odds for all playoff games
• Why the Texans can win the Super Bowl
• Why the Bengals can win the Super Bowl

This is your AFC Wild Card Saturday Open Thread. As always, Open Thread Responsibly (TM).