Tale of the tape

Christian Ponder has struggled much of the year, but he came through with excellent performances the last two weeks against the Texans and the Packers (234 passing yards and three TDs). Those two wins helped put the Vikings in the playoffs.

The Seahawks have become one of the top stories during the season and much of that is due to the presence of Russell Wilson, who has been a sharp leader, an accurate passer and a brilliant leader.

The Bengals closed out the season with seven wins in their last eight games and that earned them a rematch with the team that defeated them in last year’s playoffs. Andy Dalton has had two solid years and has size, arm strength and a quick release.

The Bengals closed out the season with seven wins in their last eight games and that earned them a rematch with the team that defeated them in last year’s playoffs. Andy Dalton has had two solid years and has size, arm strength and a quick release.

The play of rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has been one of the primary reasons the Colts are in the playoffs a year after they had the worst record in football.