Texans win first playoff game, 31-10 over Bengals

By Chris Duncan

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Jan. 7 2012 5:45 p.m. MST

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Summary

No first-time playoff jitters for the Houston Texans.

HOUSTON — No first-time playoff jitters for the Houston Texans.

Rookie J.J. Watt returned an interception for a touchdown, and Andre Johnson and Arian Foster put the game away with second-half scores to power the Texans over the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10 on Saturday in the NFL playoffs.

In the postseason for the first time in their 10-year history, the Texans (11-6) came up with big plays on offense and defense to move into a second-round game next Sunday at Baltimore (12-4).

Watt returned the first of rookie Andy Dalton's three interceptions 29 yards for a score that broke a 10-all tie with 52 seconds left in the half.

Rookie T.J. Yates then hit Johnson on a 40-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, and Foster added his second TD run, a 42-yarder, to put away the Bengals (9-8).

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