sportsjunkie

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) @ Houston Texans (10-6)

Line: HOU by 3.0

Pointers:

• Bengals are 0-7 against teams that qualified for the playoffs
• Houston beat Cincy in week 14 (20-19) and both rookie QBs got the start
• Bengals have only covered the spread once since week 9
• Andre Johnson is back
• Quarterbacks making their first start in the playoffs as home favourites are 2-10 ATS
• Houston is 32-16 ATS after two consecutive losses

Pick: Two rookie quarterbacks, both in their first ever playoff match up. I don't care how much better Dalton is than Yates, this game is on the defenses' shoulders. Both teams feature great defenses, however, the shear athleticism of Houston's defense should be enough to help them shut down the Bengals. With Foster and Tate lining up behind Yates, the Texans should be able to move the chains effectively. I got the Texans winning 24-17.

Detroit Lions (10-6) @ New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Line: NWO by 11.5

Pointers:

• Saints beat the Lions in week 13 (Lions were without Suh and Delmas, who return for this matchup)
• Saints have not lost a home game all year
• 62% of the action is on the Saints
• Lions are 15-9 ATS as double-digit underdogs since 2006 and Saints are 4-11 as double digit favourites under Sean Payton