Dan Caesar’s NFL Wild Card previews

1: Synopsis: Cincinnati has been a strong regular-season team in recent years, but a quick playoff failure as QB Andy Dalton is 0-3 in the postseason. Now it goes to a place where it lost 27-0 in October, managing only 135 total yards, and key receiver A.J. Green is unlikely to play because of a concussion he suffered last week. But Cincinnati is 7-3 since that debacle in Indianapolis and Jeremy Hill has surged at running back, carrying for 441 yards in December – most in the NFL – and faces the No. 18 run ‘D’ here.

Kickoff: 1:40 p.m.  TV: Fox 28   Line: DAL by 6 1/2

Synopsis: Detroit defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is set to play after all, with his suspension for stepping on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers last weekend having been reduced to a fine, making the Lions’ top-rated run defense intact to face NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray. But if Murray is contained, Dallas certainly is capable through the air as Tony Romo threw 34 TD passes this season (16 to Dez Bryant), had the best passer rating (113.2) of his career and faces the No. 13 pass defense. But Romo is just 1-3 in the playoffs.

Detroit’s offense has disappointed this season, as QB Matthew Stafford has been up and down. But he and key WR Calvin Johnson get to face the No. 26 pass ‘D’ here. If Dallas contains Detroit’s passing attack, the Lions are in big trouble because their ground game is poor – No. 28 in NFL – and Dallas is eighth vs. the run. Stafford has lost his only playoff start, at New Orleans three years ago. Pick: Cowboys 27-24