Texans Make Most Of Playoff Debut

Texans Make Most Of Playoff Debut.Team owner Bob McNair was tough nine-year-next-year espera'til frustration, and then vented rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10 on Saturday matched wildcard defeat.

After a decade of waiting, the AFC South champion Texas plan on extending their postseason stay as long as possible to meet face divisions on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens second planting.

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"I'm sure we can play with anybody," said the ninth year of receiver Andre Johnson, the veteran team with more time. "Maybe some people stop doubting us.

"This is something that this organization has been waiting for."

No one showed more patience than McNair, who buzzed around the locker room high-fiving anyone he could.

"This is our biggest achievement," said McNair. "I'm very proud of our team.

"Many people questioned many of our decisions. We are left with what we thought was right. I'm glad it was worth it for us."

Head coach Gary Kubiak, a Houston native who some thought could dismiss McNair disappear after 6-10 last season, called "A Special Day".

"I was sitting in my office all day before the game, thinking," Holy, the Texans are in a playoff game. '"

Limping into the postseason on a three-game losing streak, the Texans 11-6 followed the advice of the philosopher / Joel Dreessen tight by "pulling the rearview mirror.''


Behind the league without a doubt the best offensive line, which beat the Bengals for 188 yards, including 153 and two touchdowns by sliding runner Arian Foster.

And the defense, which pressured to hit the wall Dalton rookie interception are preparing, beyond-his-years 24-year-old, and three times.

Appropriate for a novice to do the best move in the first battle of rookie quarterbacks from the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Unless it was a rookie midfielder or passerby Texans TJ Dalton JJ Yates, but defensive Watt .

The 6-5, 288 pounds, former Central Michigan tight end was at the University of Wisconsin-foot at the defensive end leaped into the air while it is locked, Dalton called blank range in the second quarter pass from one hand and ran 29 yards into the end zone.

Reliant detonated in an explosion of noise and a flurry of big plays started.

Johnson followed with a 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter when cornerback Adam catch Jones in little action game and Johnson ran into the end zone before making a''"Lambeau leap into the end zone bleachers.

Then, Foster capped the party with a 42-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter when Chris left the safety of air stirring Crocker.

"Return of JJ interception was the opening game, a great turning point,’ said defensive coordinator Wade Phillips." He has done that many times in practice, was not really a surprise.''

Watt inclinations to collect the passes do not always have aroused so much joy. The day after 36-year-old veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme signed with the team a month ago after boot Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart was lost to injury, Watt was intercepted three times during a walk through.

"It was kind of madness in me,’ said Watt." He said, 'Hey, that's something I do. That's for me.'''

"I am a real fan of it in practice and in games it becomes second nature.''

Is that the fans commitment to each other that marked progress of the playoffs Saturday as special?

Phillips went from the press gallery Reliant three weeks after gallbladder removed and surgery on a kidney. Yates played a man well after suffering a dislocation that does not release the week before early in the loss to Tennessee.

And right guard Mike Brisiel against the Bengals started a month after fracturing his fibula.

"It was huge again, ‘Wade said linebacker Brian Cushing." He still is not 100%, but seeing him out there every day, you can see how much football means to him and wanted to play well for him.

"After the interception of JJ, you really have to Dalton. And we were able to pressure after that.''

In addition to Watt, two free-agent additions Houston that helped transform a league worst pass defense, cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning each intercepted Dalton.

The three interceptions matched the worst performance this season Dalton 31-24 loss to Baltimore on November 20.

"Andy is a key reason we are here today, ‘said rookie receiver AJ Green." There is a lot of quarterbacks in the playoffs the first year. I take my hat off to him.''

Dalton, who finished 24 of 42 for 257 yards, three years old the last time the Bengals won a playoff game.

Coach Marvin Lewis lost its playoff game in the third is as much during his nine-season tenure as coach of Cincinnati. However, Dalton plays young and green, the future looks bright for the 9-8 Bengals, who rebuilt on the fly after two-time Bowl Pro quarterback Carson Palmer calls an office given to mid-October.

"I think we have a bright future,’ said Dalton." We have plenty of young talent here and a lot of guys working hard and want to be good.

"We just have to put everything together.''

The Texans finally elated by what he did, rewarding patience from a decade of strong and loyal fans.

"For too long fans have been dying to make the playoffs and some claim like that,’ said right tackle Eric Winston." This has been a good football town so long.

"He has a championship itself. But I hope this confirms a bit nationally.''

They will receive a shot Sunday against the Ravens team that beat them twice in the past two seasons, including the week June 29 to 14 in Baltimore.

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Detroit Lions' Secondary Torched In 45-28 NFC Wild-Card Loss Against New Orleans Saints

Detroit Lions' Secondary Torched In 45-28 NFC Wild-Card Loss Against New Orleans Saints.NEW ORLEANS - Many people do not believe the Detroit Lions could compete in Saturday's NFC wild-card game.

Detroit looked skeptical unbalanced previous loss against New Orleans and the thought of history repeating itself. New Orleans was 8-0 at home before Saturday's game. Detroit was a sixth seed without a victory against four NFC wild-card teams this season.

The Lions (10-7) were defeated by New Orleans 45-28 in the game wild-card, but sent a clear message to all those who watched the match.

Detroit is a team on the rise.

In any way the content was in Detroit just made its appearance in the playoffs the first time since the 1999 season. Detroit planned to win his first playoff game since the 1991 season. The Lions were ready to make a Super Bowl run this season.

There was one problem.

Detroit is a year away from making that run.

The Lions must find a way to improve a secondary that allowed a quarter of the Saints Drew Brees to complete 33 - of-43 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit defensive backs cover the receivers struggled to New Orleans and missed several key tackles throughout the match.

Detroit defensive backs Eric Wright and Aaron Berry also missed opportunities to intercept Brees separated.

"Basically, it was a miscommunication on the rear end and we did not tackle as if we were supposed to," Lions defensive back Chris Houston said. "That basically sums up the game. It was a miscommunication, they made their affected. You cannot do that against a good team like that.

"The calls that were made were easy calls, so I do not see how there was a miscommunication. Sometimes something we learn. You come back and continue going to the playoffs year after year. "

Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith gave a touchdown when he was there. He took to Twitter after the game to defend himself and says: "Before you say something crazy or ignorant please know your" coverage "at first just a friendly reminder! Now fire away! "

Smith himself said after the game.

"I was not there much. I do, "said Smith. "On my game, the game that (Marques) Colston ran, it was a personal game. He ran a vertical course. It surprised me. He ran a vertical route and caught the ball, he should not have. Then we had a blown one-time coverage. It is what it is. "

In addition, Detroit must find a way to bounce back from obstacles that cannot control, such as civil servants.

Detroit forced two fumbles, but sales could have been a touchdown if not for the error of an official.

New Orleans faced second-and-6 on the Detroit 37-yard line when Lions defensive end Willie Brees hit young people and caused a fumble in the second quarter. Lions linebacker Justin recovered during the ball 38 yards of line and his team had a clear path to the end zone, but has not been authorized in advance.

During this reading, an official inadvertently blew his whistle and the game was declared dead. Detroit went three-and-out, which put an even greater honor of the error.

That said, Detroit began its first playoff game since the 1999 season better than many expected.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford led his team on an eight play, 80 yard opening, which was crowned by a 10-yard pass to end Will Heller tight. Detroit led 7-0 four minutes into the game.

New Orleans has taken on its own 19-yard line. The Saints advanced to the Detroit 31-yard line in five plays. Brees completed a pass to Colston, who fumbled after a hit by linebacker Stephen Tulloch Lions. Colston fumbled was recovered by Durant.

The Saints scored on their next possession on running back Darren SPROLS '2-yard. New Orleans and Detroit were tied at seven early in the second quarter.

Stafford again led his team on a scoring drive. Detroit ran nine plays and gained 87 yards, a casual reader highlighted by Stafford touched 13 yards to Calvin Johnson, giving the Lions a lead of 14-7.

Kicker John Kasay New Orleans has a 24-yard field goal before halftime, but Detroit led 14-10 heading towards the locker room.

Stafford completed 14 of 22 passes for 180-yards and two touchdowns, while Brees completed 17 of-21 passes for 174 yards and no touchdowns at the half.

New Orleans then showed how a team wins in the playoffs when it counts established.

Detroit was downgraded 35-14 in the second half of New Orleans poured it on. Brees threw touchdown passes to three receivers. SPROLS scored on a touchdown run of 17 yards, while Thomas and Peter had a stroke hit a yard.

While the founding of Detroit's defense needs to be addressed - yes, we're talking high school - Johnson is not far from this list.

Johnson had 12 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans. He still has one year remaining on his contract, but Detroit may have to work on a new agreement this offseason for Johnson. If Detroit wants to make another playoff run, Johnson will be a part of his team.

Detroit has several things to address this offseason, but for the first time in years, his season will end with a single thought.

This team is on the rise.

"I was not ready for more," Lions center Dominic Raiola said. "You do not think it going to be like when finished. I feel that we have to come back, but it's hard to swallow right now. It's done. One and Done. It was a successful season, I think. I do not think anyone predicted us to go to the playoffs this year. You never want to hang your hat on that. "

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