Both teams run a similarly traditional West Coast offense with a zone-based running game and coverage-based pass schemes designed to isolate defenders. The Texans offense especially is designed to punish defenders for neglecting their assignments and becoming overly aggressive.

Last week against the Colts, the Arian Foster ripped off a cutback on a stretch zone run to take advantage of the same kind of over-aggressiveness that the Bengals have a tendency to display when the defense becomes frustrated.

Although the backside defensive end is trying to maintain outside leverage against the Texans’ highly underrated left tackle, Duane Brown, the team aggressively pursues to the attack point of the zone run. By chasing down Foster and neglecting to stay within their gap assignments, the Colts opened up a large amount of open room for Foster to find a cutback lane. With his explosiveness, Foster will always punish a defense in this situation.

On this play from last year’s matchup, Geno Atkins demonstrates the best formula to disrupt Foster and the zone running game. Atkins has stood up center Scott Wells completely at this point and is dominating the battle of leverage. This disrupts Foster and does not allow him to let the blocking develop a lane for him to run. Atkins forces the decision prematurely and is able to drop Foster for a loss.

Dec 16, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

There will be many intriguing matchups to watch this weekend when Cincinnati heads to Houston for a Wild Card rematch after last year’s 31-10 defeat, and one key matchup that could decide the ball game will involve a Bengal who didn’t play in last year’s game due to injury.

Leon Hall is back this time, and will be tasked with covering Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson. Last year in Houston with Hall out of commission due to a torn achilles tendon, the 5’10″ Adam Jones was asked to cover the 6’3″, a clear mismatch in both size and ability, as Andre streaked down the sideline past Jones for a 40-yard touchdown catch late in the third-quarter that broke the backs of the Bengals.

Hall playing some of the best football of his 6-year career, but so is Johnson, who this past Sunday became only the second receiver in NFL history to record 1,500 yards and 100 catches in three separate seasons. He finished the year with 112 receptions for 1,598(14.3 avg) and 4 TDs, and must be the primary focus of the Bengals secondary. Don’t be surprised to see Mike Zimmer use double-coverage to slow Johnson down and make Houston’s other receivers beat Cincinnati.

TE Owen Daniels (62 catches for 716 yards) is the only other Texans receiver to have over 520 yards receiving. As long as Hall can hold up in coverage against Johnson, the Texans will have a tough time finding any offensive flow.  Andre has been targeted on double-digit passing attempts in 10 of the Texans last 11 games, so you can be sure they’ll be trying early and often to feed get the ball in their best playmakers’ hands.

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Nov 18, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) jumps over Arizona Cardinals cornerback William Gay (22) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cardinals 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Atlanta 23, Arizona 19

Matt Ryan threw five—count ‘em, five—interceptions, but the Falcons still managed to pull out the victory at home against the slumping Cardinals. Michael Tuner punched in a one run touchdown run with under seven minutes for the winning score.

Green Bay 24, Detroit 20

Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay on an 82-yard touchdown drive, hitting Randall Cobb from 22 yards out with 1:55 left to give the Packers the lead, and the Lions were unable to mount a last minute comeback. Calvin Johnson had 143 receiving yards and a touchdown in the loss.

New York Jets 27, St. Louis 13

Mark Sanchez finished 15 of 20 for 178 yards, and the Jet defense forced three Ram turnovers to pick up the road victory. The Jets still harbor faint playoff hopes at 4-6.

Dallas 23, Cleveland 20 (OT)

Dan Bailey kicked a 32 yard field goal to send the game to overtime, and a 38-yarder to give the Cowboys the come-from-behind win. This was a pretty rough loss for the Browns, who completely outplayed Dallas in the first half to take a 13-0 lead at the break. Tony Romo threw for 313 yards to lead the Cowboys back to .500.