NFL Playoffs Report Card: Packers, Texans Advance

Green Bay Packers: A
 
The Packers did exactly what they said they would do: stop Adrian Peterson. After spending the last few weeks of the season letting Peterson run all over them, the Packers defense finally stepped on, and, essentially shut him down. Sure, Peterson was still able to rush for 99 yards, but his runs did not impact the game in any area. Green Bay looks perfectly ready for they showdown in Candlestick Park next week.
 
Houston Texans: B-
 
The Texans just won a playoff game, so you cannot fault them too much, but they did not do anything to erase the questions surrounding their poor play over the last few weeks. Houston beat Cincinnati in spite of them selves, and will need a far better performance next week, if they plan on getting out of Foxborough alive, against the Patriots.
 
Adrian Peterson: B
 
Peterson was able to rush for almost 100 yards against the Packers on Saturday, but, was essentially, rendered useless during Minnesota’s playoff elimination. A 24-10 blowout is probably not the way Peterson envisioned his historic comeback season ending, but, nevertheless, the star running back can take solace in his magnificent season, and probably MVP trophy.



 
Matt Schaub: C
 
Matt Schaub did not play great for most of Houston’s game against the Bengals, and looks out of shorts on many possessions during the first half.  If the Texans plan on staying competitive with the Patriots next week, they are going to need Schaub to run the offense and put up some points.
 
Cincinnati Bengals: C-
 
This is the second year in a row that the Bengals were eliminated by the Texans in the first round. Cincinnati was expected two take a step forward this year as quarterback Andy Dalton matured, yet they find them selves in the exact same position as last year. Dalton is a good quarterback, and the Bengals are a good team but sometimes in the NFL that just isn’t enough.
 
 
Minnesota Vikings: D
 
Minnesota just could not get an offense going during their beat down at the hands of the Packers. Who would have thought that Christian Ponder could actually look better by missing a game? It’s a shame that Minnesota’s great season had to come to an end with a whimper and a blowout.
 
Joe Webb: Incomplete
 
Minnesota’s quarterback Joe Webb played a horrible game—and by horrible, I mean, barely able to throw the ball, horrible—but it’s hard to pass too much judgment on a backup QB who did not throw one pass all season.