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Game: San Diego Chargers (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
Time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Paul Brown Stadium
Series Leader: Bengals, 19-13
Streak: Bengals have won the past three.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 4-2. McCoy: 0-1
Broadcast: CBS (1:05 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson (Field reporter). Westwood One: Ian Eagle, Trent Green, Tony Boselli (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 92 (SD), 86 (Cin.). XM: 88 (WW1), 225 (SD), 86 (Cin.).
SB Nation: Bolts from the Blue
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: 33 degrees with snow and rain mix [Weather Underground]
Uniform: Black
Odds: Bengals are seven-point favorites
CINCINNATI BENGALS
- The Bengals have reached the postseason five times during the Marvin Lewis era (2005, 2009, 2011-2013).
- Bengals have reached the postseason three straight seasons for the first time in franchise history.
- The Bengals are looking to earn their first playoff win since Jan. 6, 1991 when the Bengals defeated the Houston Oilers.
- Cincinnati clinched their first AFC North title since 2009.
- Were undefeated this year at home for the first time since '88. Also have won nine consecutive home games, dating back to 2012.
- The Bengals have scored a touchdown on 73.9 percent of their trips inside the red zone, second-best in the NFL.
- Quarterback Andy Dalton passed for 4,296 yards with 33 touchdowns in 2013 -- both are single-season franchise records.
- Cincinnati is 15-1 when Dalton has a passer rating of 100 or better.
- Dalton is 30-18 (.625) as a starting quarterback, highest all-time winning percentage by a Bengals quarterback (minimum 20 games) in franchise history.
- Dalton threw 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a passer rating of 98.4 at home this season.
- Running back Giovani Bernard (1,209) is the first rookie running back to reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage since Corey Dillon (1,388).
- Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis has rushed for 246 yards on 58 carries in five career postseason games.
- Wide receiver A.J. Green (260) surpassed Anquan Boldin (259) for most receptions in the first three seasons of a career in NFL history.
- Green (3,833) has the second-most yards receiving in the first three seasons of a career, trailing only Randy Moss (4,163).
- Green is also the first wide receiver to be selected to the Pro Bowl in the first three seasons of a career since Moss.
- In two career games against the San Diego Chargers, Green has 14 receptions for 168 yards receiving and a touchdown.
- Wide receivers Green (11) and Marvin Jones (10) combined for 21 receiving touchdowns.
- Defense allowed 19.1 points/game in 2013, tied for fewest in the AFC.
- Linebacker Vontaze Burfict led the team with 171 tackles in 2013 (204 according to the team).
- Defensive end Wallace Gilberry posted a career-high 7.5 quarterback sacks this season.
- Cornerback Terence Newman has played in six career postseason games.
- Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick generated a career-high two interceptions last week, including a pick-six.
- Kirkpatrick recorded his first career interception against the San Diego Chargers earlier this year.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
- This is the Chargers first postseason appearance since 2009.
- Chargers have an AFC-high active four-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.
- Quarterback Philip Rivers (4,478) is the sixth player in NFL history to register five 4,000-yard seasons.
- Rivers has passed for 32,369 yards passing and 254 touchdowns, trailing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts for most in Chargers history.
- In three career postseason games, Rivers has completed 54 of 91 passes (59.3 percent) for 783 yards with six scores and four picks for a passer rating of 91 passer rating.
- In his last postseason road game, Rivers completed 21 of 35 passes for 308 yards passing with three touchdowns and an interception.
- In two regular season games against the Bengals, Rivers has completed 51 of 76 passes (67.1 percent) for 594 yards with four scores and an interception.
- Running back Ryan Matthews (1,255) became the first Charger to reach 1,200 yards rushing since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2007 (1,474).
- Matthews led the AFC with 534 yards rushing for the month of December.
- Running back Danny Woodhead ranked second in the NFL in receptions (76) and yards receiving (605) for a running back in 2013.
- Tight end Antonio Gates (77 catches, 872 yards receiving) posted his sixth season of his career with at least 70 receptions and 800 yards receiving.
- In his last postseason game, Gates had eight catches for 93 yards receiving.
- Rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen (71 catches, 1,046 yards) has the most yards and receptions for a Chargers rookie.
- In his last game against the Bengals, Allen posted eight receptions for 106 yards receiving.
- Allen has five touchdown in his past four games.
- Allen led all NFL rookies receptions and yards receiving.
- Wide receiver Eddie Royal had a career-high eight touchdown receptions this season.
- Tight end LaDarius Green posted his career-best third touchdown reception of the season last week.
- Safety Eric Weddle leads the Chargers with 103 tackles.
- Weddle also had an interception and a fumble recovery in his last game against the Bengals.
TEAM RANKINGS
OFFENSE | BENGALS | CHARGERS |
Total | 368.4 (10th) | 393.3 (5th) |
Scoring | 26.9 (t-6th) | 24.8 (12th) |
Third Downs | 41% (10th) | 49% (1st) |
Rushing | 109.7 (18th) | 122.8 (13th) |
Rushing TDs | 14 (t-13th) | 9 (t-25th) |
20-Yard Runs | 5 (t-5th) | 7 (t-24th) |
Passing | 258.7 (8th) | 270.5 (4th) |
Passing TDs | 33 (t-3rd) | 32 (t-5th) |
Sacks Allowed | 29 (3rd) | 30 (t-4th) |
20-yard Passes | 58 (8th) | 60 (7th) |
DEFENSE | BENGALS | CHARGERS |
Total | 305.5 (3rd) | 366.5 (23rd) |
Scoring | 19.1 (t-5th) | 21.8 (11th) |
3rd Downs Allowed | 33% (2nd) | 39% (20th) |
Rushing | 96.5 (5th) | 107.8 (12th) |
Rushing TDs | 6 (4th) | 14 (t-18th) |
Passing | 209.0 (5th) | 258.7 (29th) |
Passing TDs | 22 (11th) | 23 (12th) |
Sacks | 43 (10th) | 35 (23rd) |
QB Rating | 74.2 (2nd) | 96.4 (28th) |
Interceptions | 20 (t-5th) | 11 (t-26th) |
SPECIAL TEAMS | BENGALS | CHARGERS |
Kickoff Return | 25.1 (5th) | 22.1 (23rd) |
Punt Return | 9.0 (t-15th) | 7.5 (25th) |
Punting (Net) | 39.9 (t-14th) | 40.0 (t-12th) |
Punts Inside the 20 | 27 (t-13th) | 30 (t-8th) |