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off the Bengals in the wild-card round. Both teams are improved this season, and the key could be which side protects its quarterback better. Houston has J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith providing pressure on the quarterbacks. For Cincinnati, it's Geno Atkins and Michael Johnson.
• Houston will do it better.
• TEXANS, 24-20
• Seattle (minus 1½) at Washington
• The juiciest of the weekend's matchups features two streaking teams: Washington won its final seven games to take the NFC East, Seattle took its last five and seven of eight.
• Rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III for the Redskins and Russell Wilson for the Seahawks have been sensational, like Indy's Luck. RG3 showed enough mobility in the win over Dallas to clinch the division, and his knee should be even stronger on Sunday to provide the double-threat potential that highlights his game.
• Wilson is healthy and has similar skills. Even more encouraging for him is the Seahawks have an intimidating, resourceful defense with the speed to slow down Washington's offense. Seattle also has learned how to win on the road.
• SEAHAWKS, 23-16
• ___
• RECORD:
• Against spread: 7-6 (112-124-7). Straight up: 12-4 (159-92-1)
• Best Bet: 7-8-2 against spread, 11-6 straight up.
• Upset special: 11-6 against spread, 9-8 straight up.
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Extraordinary snowfall needed to relieve drought
JIM SUHR,Associated Press
• ST. LOUIS (AP) -- When his drought-stricken Nebraska farm was blanketed with several inches of snow, Tom Schwarz welcomed the moisture. But it wasn't nearly enough.
• He had hoped for a wet, snowy winter. Instead, he's watched with worry as the sky spits mostly flakes that don't stick.
• "I just shudder to think what it's going to be if we don't get snow," Schwarz said. "A friend told me it would take 150 inches of snow to get us back to normal precipitation."
• Despite getting some big storms last month, much of the U.S. is still desperate (Continued on page 18)
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