NFL Playoff Schedule: 2012 Results, Scores of Saints vs Lions, Bengals vs Texans

Unstoppable. Unbelievable. Altering record books. This is not a movie but a thrill in the NFL as the New Orleans Saints showed that they belong to the other world by overwhelming Detroit Lions 48-25 in one of the wildcard games of the day. Behind by four points in the first half, Saints regrouped in the second half to make it a one-sided football game.

In the AFC wildcard game, the Houston Texans overpowered the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10 as they posted their first playoff wins. Though the Texans relied not in the passing game, the running game flourished with the magnificent performance of Arian Foster who rushed 24 times for 154 yards. Foster deliberately attacked the defense of the Bengals as most of the times he extricated from the tackles. Foster also had three receptions for 29 yards as he confused the defense of the Bengals.

Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates completed 11 of 20 passes for 159 yards with one touchdown. The great thing about Yates was that he did not commit any mistakes in the game that could have changed the outcome. Yates followed the gameplan to slow it down so that they would not give enough time for the Bengals. Andre Johnson caught five times for 90 yards including a 40 yard touchdown reception that changed the course of the game.

As expected the defense was strong for the Texans as J.J. Watt pulled of an interception that ended up a touchdown in the third quarter. Texans defense completely dominated the game as it allowed only 10 points against the Bengals. Coach Gary Kubiak knew exactly that they had to make defensive stops for to get pass through the Bengals. Thus, defense won the football game in the playoffs.

For the Bengals, Andy Dalton completed 27 of 42 passes for 257 yards but his three costly turnovers provided the Texans to make most of it. Dalton had been pressured all the long as his awkward passes ended it to the hands of the opponents. Because the Bengals went on for a chase in the third quarter, Dalton didn’t produce a touchdown at all. However, his receivers did great as A.J. Green caught five times for 47 yards while Jermaine Gresham caught five times for 46 yards. The fact that Dalton distributed the ball well was not enough to end up victorious. The ground game was limited as the Texans delivered one of the best defensive games in the NFL playoff.

New Orleans Saints fans were in silence after the first half as the team trailed 14-10. But when the adjustments were made, Drew Brees added himself in another record-breaking game. Brees completed 33 of 43 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. He guided the team into another victory that advances them to the next round against the 49ers.

Marques Colston had seven receptions for 120 yards including a long 40 yard while Robert Meachem caught four times for 111 yards. Devery Henderson caught two times for 64 yards. These three players caught a 40 yard plus yard pass each from Brees. Yes, because fo the firepower of the Saints, they were able to make the statement in the league that this team is for real and is in hunt for another Super Bowl.

While the Saints celebrated, the Lions couldn’t contain that offense that was impossible to defend. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 28 of 43 passes for 380 yards, three touchdowns, but two interceptions. He distributed the ball significantly well but the team fell short. Calvin Johnson had a great day with 12 catches that resulted in 211 yards. Detroit Lions running game didn’t materialize at all as the offense struggled in the second half.

The New Orleans Saints will face San Francisco 49ers while Houston Texans will meet Baltimore Ravens next week in the NFL Playoff 2012. There was so much hype in both games but it paid off to play at home in the playoffs.

NFL Playoff games Sunday January 8, 2012

NFL Playoff 2012 Schedule continues Sunday with the Denver Broncos hosting Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons visiting New York Giants. Tim Tebow is the spiritual director and football leader of the Broncos will be in a ragged test against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes, it will be an uphill battle for the Broncos if they fell behind early. The best thing for the Broncos to do is to stay close until the fourth quarter when they have the sight of winning it all.

In the NFC Wildcard, the New York Giants will be making another run as to the Super Bowl. They will make a case that the team is at a the right time as it peaks to the max. Eli Manning will be the key factor for the Giants to beat the Falcons. However, the Falcons hunger will drive them to play with heart and determination.