The Houston Texans' players and fans are geared up for the team's very first playoff game.
The 10-year-old Texans (10-6) will take on the Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at Reliant Stadium at 3:30 p.m. The game will air on KPRC Local 2. KPRC Local 2's pregame show begins at 2 p.m. and NBC's pregame coverage begins at 3 p.m.
The city of Houston has waited 18 years to see its team play in a postseason game. The Houston Oilers' last playoff appearance followed the 1993 season, a loss to Joe Montana and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The land where Reliant Stadium now stands was just a parking lot back then, Houston coach Gary Kubiak was an assistant at Texas A&M. Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates was 6 years old.
"Just to think of how far we've come and to be working this week, be putting in a game plan and going in those meetings and getting ready to line up, that's what we came here to do, so let's go do it," Kubiak said. "We're looking forward to it."
Andre Johnson may be as eager as anyone.
The star receiver and face of the Houston franchise has languished through the litany of losses since the team drafted him third overall in 2003. He stayed loyal to the Texans, though, signing a contract extension in August 2010 that will keep him here through the 2016 season.
"You know, I always said that I wanted to be a part to help this organization get to their first playoff appearance and hopefully win their first Super Bowl," he said. "I didn't think it would take this long, but we're here now."
Saturday's game will end the longest playoff drought of any expansion team from its inception into the league.
The Bengals are back in the postseason for the third time in seven seasons, but they haven't advanced in 20 years. Cincinnati's last playoff victory came against Houston, albeit the Oilers, a 41-14 victory at Riverfront Stadium. The Bengals lost to the L.A. Raiders the following week, and they've lost two playoff games at home since, after the 2005 and `09 seasons.
The parking lots at Reliant Stadium open at 11:30 a.m. and thousands of fans are expected to tailgate.
Traffic around the stadium is expected to be congested and drivers not going to the game or a destination in the immediate area were urged to use other routes.
There are several ways to get to Reliant Stadium. Instead of using the 610 Loop or state Highway 288, drivers approach the stadium from the north by taking the Southwest Freeway to Buffalo Speedway, Kirby or Greenbriar or from the east by taking Old Spanish Trail on MacGregor Way.
Fans who want to get to the stadium by METRORail can do that for free. Reliant is picking up the fares from 5:30 a.m. until midnight.
Ticket holders were suggested to be inside the stadium by 3 p.m. for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
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