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The Houston Texans host the Cincinnati Bengals at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, which means both teams have released their lists of inactive players for their playoff tilt.
Houston will be sitting seven total players against Cincinnati, including three offensive lineman:
#Texans inactives: OL Caldwell, CB Carmichael, OL Gardner, CB Routt, OL White, FB Clutts, NT McClain
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2013
The Bengals have also deactivated seven, highlighted by four defensive players:
#Bengals inactives: S C. Crocker, CB J. Allen, TE R. Quinn, WR D. Sanzenbacher, DT B. Thompson, DT D. Still, RB D. Herron #CINvsHOU
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 5, 2013
The Wild Card round is a bit of a surprise for the Texans, who seemed to have the top overall seed in the AFC playoffs locked up over a month ago. Three losses in four games down the stretch not only knocked Houston out of contention for home-field advantage, but a first-round bye as well. The team will try to rebound against a Bengals squad that has been hot down the stretch.
Cincinnati won their last three games to ensure a playoff berth and nearly grab the AFC North title away from the Baltimore Ravens. The three-game winning streak was part of seven wins in the Bengals' last eight games.