Texans at Bengals
THE STORY: With their first postseason trip in franchise history all but assured, the Houston Texans can concentrate on preparing their rookie quarterback for the big moment. The Cincinnati Bengals are far from a cinch to make the playoffs, but their first-year signal caller is already playing like a seasoned veteran. Andy Dalton and the Bengals can take a huge step toward the postseason when they host T.J. Yates and the Texans on Sunday. Houston has won a franchise-record six straight games and Yates has been responsible for two, including a 17-10 victory over Atlanta last week. Yates will be without top receiving threat Andre Johnson, who injured his left hamstring against the Falcons. The Bengals remain in good shape despite getting thrashed 35-7 by Pittsburgh last week, and with two apparent easy games looming, they could control their own destiny.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Bengals -3, O/U 38.5
ABOUT THE BENGALS (7-5): Five teams in the AFC are 7-5, including the likely West Division winner. So Cincinnati in essence will have to fight off three teams to make the playoffs. The Bengals, who have lost three of their last four games, better take care of business at St. Louis and against Arizona in Weeks 15-16 because they finish at Baltimore. Dalton (17 touchdowns) is among the candidates to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, along with teammate A.J. Green, who leads first-year players with 50 catches, seven touchdowns and 837 yards.
ABOUT THE TEXANS (9-3): Houston, which plays Carolina and at Indianapolis in Weeks 15-16, can clinch the AFC South with a win and a Tennessee loss to New Orleans. Johnson missed Weeks 5-10 because of a right hamstring injury. The Texans’ defense is second in the NFL in yards (274.1) and points allowed per game (15.8). All-Pro running back Arian Foster, who has eight touchdowns in his last seven games, and Houston’s No. 2 rushing attack will take some pressure off Yates. Houston signed Jeff Garcia on Wednesday to serve as the No. 3 quarterback behind Jake Delhomme.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Foster will face the NFL’s No. 6 rushing defense which allows 96.3 yards per game. Foster is averaging 91.6.
2. Green is challenging Chris Collinsworth’s team rookie records of 67 catches and 1,009 yards set in 1981.
3. Houston is off to the best 12-game start in franchise history and is trying for the first 10-win season in team history.