The NFL playoffs are here. Well, they're a few days away, but nonetheless the anticipation is killer. First up on the playoff schedule are eight teams going head-to-head as they attempt to advance further into the postseason. The action begins this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
First on the schedule, don't focus too much the jersey colors in the photo, it's just that the Bengals' black attire looks better than their white, it's the Cincinnati Bengals versus the Houston Texans.
These two teams already faced each other last season in the NFL Wild Card game. The only difference from last year, and a major one, is that they will be led by more experienced quarterbacks this time around.
Okay, so the Bengals had Andy Dalton behind center in last year's playoff game, but he comes into this matchup with a little more seasoning after 16 NFL games under his belt. As for the Texans, they get Matt Schaub back healthy instead of T.J. Yates.
The Texans and Bengals didn't meet in 2012. If the conclusion to both teams' seasons are any indication of the outcome of this one, then we might be in for a shocker.
The Bengals wrapped up their campaign winning seven of their last eight games and three in a row. The Texans, a team once heralded as the best in the league, finished 2012 losing three of their last games.
Tune in to NBC at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday as we get set to welcome the NFL playoffs.
Final 2012 Regular Season Records: Bengals 10-6, Texans 12-4
Prediction: Bengals 27-Texans 24
Just when you might have thought it couldn't get better, next on the schedule at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, immediately following the Texans vs. Bengals is an NFC North battle that had us at the edge of our seats in the final week of the season. The Green Bay Packers head home where they will host the Minnesota Vikings.
Adrian Peterson almost broke the record and boy would it have been sweet. Had he accomplished the feat, it would've been the perfect ending to a victory and the clinching of a playoff berth against their NFC North rival.
Peterson has looked more like a track runner than a football player. He has blazed the Packers for a total of 409 in their two regular season meetings and will probably have another big performance if the Packers don't make any adjustments.
Look for Aaron Rodgers to remain cool. The Packers were heartbroken last season against the New York Giants and nothing will be better than advancing deeper into the playoffs with a win over their division rival.
The season series is knotted at one a piece so this one is for all the marbles.
Final 2012 Regular Season Record: Vikings 10-6, Packers 11-5
Prediction: Packers 34-Vikings 26
Sunday Schedule
The world might see Ray Lewis play his final game in the NFL on Sunday as he announced his retirement Monday afternoon.
This will be another homecoming of sorts for Indianapolis Colts' coach Chuck Pagano, who was the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator. However, defense will likely not be the highlight of this matchup as these two AFC powerhouses will lock up in the first game on the Sunday schedule.
Andrew Luck picked up where Peyton Manning left off in the regular season and the rookie quarterback brought winning back to Indianapolis.
This is another matchup that might favor the wrong team if experience is the focus. While Luck is a rookie and playing in his first ever playoff game, Joe Flacco and the Ravens did little to prove they were ready to take the franchise all the way after coming so close in 2011.
The Ravens wrapped up 2012 losing four of their last five games stumbling into the playoffs. Their sole victory was a huge one over the Giants in Week 16, but they couldn't close out the season on a high note losing to the Bengals.
The Colts finished out strong. They won four of their last five games played. They finished the season with a big win over the Texans. This came just two weeks after losing to them and watching them win the AFC South division.
If the Ravens want to begin a Super Bowl run, they better step their game up as the Colts, Pagano and Luck are coming strong out of the gates.
This game kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
Prediction: Colts 27-Ravens 23
Final 2012 Regular Season Record: Colts 11-5, Ravens 10-6
If you weren't a fan of these guys entering the season then they at least made you believers as they took their game (and teams' game) to a completely other level. Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson take the field as they will wrap up the NFL playoff weekend.
It's almost like we're watching a concert and the best band or numbers are left to close out the show. The Washington Redskins take on the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night and only one of these two rookies will be left standing.
While the Redskins bring the offense, the Seahawks will bring the defense. If there is any good news for the Redskins, however, is that they will be able to avoid playing in the loudest place on earth, CenturyLink Field. Instead, the Redskins give their fans to be the 12th Man and giving their rookie QB RG3 the advantage in the game.
The Redskins' season has been revamped with RG3 and the pistol offense. Wilson has a great defense behind him that allows him to do just enough on offense to get wins every week. Just like the other games on the schedule, this match can go either way, but the Redskins will have to continue fooling their opponent because if the Seahawks' defense runs the pace of the game, then the Redskins playoff run may quickly come to an end.
Kickoff is on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. on FOX.
Final 2012 Regular Season Record: Redskins 10-6, Seahawks 11-5.
Prediction: Seahawks 37-Redskins 24