Tomorrow afternoon, the 2011 playoffs get going with an NBC doubleheader. And, as NBC Sports producer Ricky Diamond points out from his temporary work location in New Orleans as he prepares for Saturday night’s Lions-Saints rematch, both games could result in the snapping of two very long streaks.
The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990. The last playoff win for Cincinnati came in Cincinnati, against Houston. Not the Texans, of course, but the Oilers. (The following weekend, the Bengals ended Bo Jackson’s career via a seemingly innocuous tackle that nevertheless broke Bo’s hip and caused the joint to die and required a hip replacement.)
In 1990, the Texans didn’t exist. And this will be the Texans’ first playoff game in franchise history. So, either way, the outcome of the game will have historical significance.
The Lions, like the Bengals, haven’t won a playoff game in two decade. The last Detroit postseason victory occurred against the Cowboys, 38-6, in the 1991 NFC divisional playoffs at the Silverdome. (The next week, the Lions lost to the Redskins in Washington. No hips were broken in that game.)
The Lions haven’t won a postseason game away from home since 19-freaking-57. That year, the Lions beat the 49ers in San Francisco. As Ricky D. points out, there’s no word as to whether George Wilson and Frankie Albert got into any shoving matches after the post-game handshake.
Meanwhile, I’m beginning to wonder whether I actually was under the influence of some type of intoxicating beverage yesterday morning, when I picked the Lions to win in New Orleans on Saturday night. Either way, I may need an intoxicating beverage or two if the Saints are up by 14 or more in the fourth quarter.