Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com says the Bengals have confirmed visits of Allen, Saints cornerback Tracy Porter and Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson.

Allen, 28, has been with the Texans since 2010, when he was claimed off waivers mid-season from the Miami Dolphins. He had four interceptions last season while rotating with Kareem Jackson opposite Johnathan Joseph. A first-round draft pick in 2006, Allen had three interceptions for the Texans in seven games in 2010.

Unrestricted
CB Jason Allen
S Dominique Barber
G Mike Brisiel
DE Tim Bulman
QB Jake Delhomme
ILB Tim Dobbins
TE Joel Dreessen
QB Jeff Garcia
WR Bryant Johnson
C Chris Myers
K Neil Rackers
G Kasey Studdard
P Matt Turk
RB Derrick Ward
OLB Mario Williams

Restricted
S Quintin Demps
(RB Arian Foster – signed March 6)

Exclusive Rights
(LS Jon Weeks – signed March 5)

The Texans do not expect to be as active in free agency as they were in 2011, when they signed cornerback Johnathan Joseph and free safety Danieal Manning to long-term deals. Their top priority is re-signing their own players, including outside linebacker Mario Williams and center Chris Myers. Both Pro Bowlers will become unrestricted free agents unless the Texans sign them before tomorrow’s deadline.

The Texans have made it clear they want both players back. Williams said on Feb. 16 that it would “mean a lot” if he could stay in Houston and that he isn’t necessarily looking to become the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Myers said a couple weeks later that he wants to remain a Texan but was feeling out the free agency process.

Other notable impending free agents are right guard Mike Brisiel, who has started for the Texans since 2008; tight end Joel Dreessen, who led the Texans with six touchdowns catches in 2011; kicker Neil Rackers, who set a team record with 135 points last season; and cornerback Jason Allen, who has seven interceptions for the Texans while sharing playing time with Kareem Jackson over the last two seasons.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Questionable
CB Jason Allen (Back/Full), LB Bryan Braman (Neck/Limited), S Troy Nolan (Ankle/Full)

Probable
G Mike Brisiel (Ankle/Full), G Antoine Caldwell (Ankle/Full), FB James Casey (Knee/Full), NT Shaun Cody (Knee/Full), TE Owen Daniels (Knee/Full), TE Joel Dreessen (Knee/Full), RB Arian Foster (Knee/Full), WR Andre Johnson (Hamstring/Full), WR Bryant Johnson (Thigh/Full), CB Johnathan Joseph (Achilles/Full), CB Sherrick McManis (Ankle/Full), C Chris Myers (Knee/Full), T Derek Newton (Hip/Full), S Glover Quin (Ankle/Elbow/Full), T Eric Winston (Calf/Full), QB T.J. Yates (L. Shoulder/Full)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Doubtful
S Taylor Mays (Hamstring/DNP), LB Dontay Moch (Illness/DNP)

Probable
DT Geno Atkins (Achilles/Full), HB Cedric Benson (Foot/Full), C Kyle Cook (Foot/Full), S Chris Crocker (Knee/Full), QB Andy Dalton (Illness/Full), DE Jonathan Fanene (Non-Injury/Full), DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder/Full)

G Mike Brisiel (Ankle), TE Owen Daniels (Knee),

HOUSTON TEXANS

Limited Participation in Practice
CB Jason Allen (Back), LB Bryan Braman (Neck), G Mike Brisiel (Ankle), TE Owen Daniels (Knee), S Troy Nolan (Ankle)

Full Participation in Practice
G Antoine Caldwell (Ankle), FB James Casey (Knee), NT Shaun Cody (Knee), TE Joel Dreessen (Knee), RB Arian Foster (Knee), WR Andre Johnson (Hamstring), WR Bryant Johnson (Thigh), CB Johnathan Joseph (Achilles), CB Sherrick McManis (Ankle), C Chris Myers (Knee), T Derek Newton (Hip), S Glover Quin (Ankle/Elbow), T Eric Winston (Calf), QB T.J. Yates (L. Shoulder)

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Did Not Participate in Practice
DE Jonathan Fanene (Non-Injury), S Taylor Mays (Hamstring), LB Dontay Moch (Illness)

Limited Participation in Practice
DT Geno Atkins (Achilles), QB Andy Dalton (Illness), DE Frostee Rucker (Shoulder)

Full Participation in Practice
HB Cedric Benson (Foot), C Kyle Cook (Foot), S Chris Crocker (Knee)

Among players, 14 of 53 (26.4 percent) on the active roster have played in a postseason game. In other words, 39 of 53 (73.6 percent) have not. The Texans have a total of 53 games of playoff experience on the roster, including four Super Bowl appearances.

Will that be a factor against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday? Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, who has been to six Super Bowls as a player and coach, was asked Tuesday about overcoming his team’s lack of playoff experience.

“I don’t know that answer,” he said. “I mean, I’ve been asked so many times. It is what it is. From that standpoint, as far as our players, maybe that’s a good thing that they don’t have a lot of things to pull from. It’s just, ‘Go play it like any other game.’ They know that the result – the biggest factor – you can move on. If you don’t play well, you’re not moving on, you’re going home. They all understand that, but this is the Houston Texans’ first taste of a playoff game.”

Kubiak said that playoff-tested veterans Antonio Smith and Danieal Manning have stepped up as leaders this week, passing along “a lot of great information” to their teammates – not to mention taking things up a notch on the practice field.

“Watching Danieal Manning practice today and watching him prepare – if you’re his teammate, you know there was something different about it today,” Kubiak said Tuesday. “You just ask those guys to lead the way, and we got a lot of good players that need to jump in there and go with them, so we’ll find out.”

Among coaches, 14 of 16 (87.5 percent) have playoff experience. Defensive backs coach Vance Joseph and offensive assistant Marc Lubick are the lone exceptions. The Texans’ coaching staff has coached and/or played in 175 postseason games. Kubiak has coached in 16 and played in four. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has coached in 26.

The Texans have eight coaches who have participated in Super Bowls, with 10 rings and 20 appearances among them. Kubiak won three Super Bowls as a coach — one as quarterbacks coach in San Francisco in 1994 and two as offensive coordinator in Denver in 1997-98.

“I hope they (players) look at our staff and pull from everybody,” Kubiak said. “Wade’s been in a lot of big football games, (offensive coordinator) Rico (Rick Dennison), guys have been in a lot of playoff games, have been around those type of things. They got to look to everybody, and like I said, there’s a lot of information to be passed along this week, whether it’s from me, coaches, players who’ve played in playoff games, but the bottom line is we’re going to play with the same ball, we’re going play on the same fields.  That was my message to them (Tuesday) morning: ‘Hey, whatever you did during the season, you did a hell of a job.  You make sure you’re doing the same thing this week as we prepare for Saturday.’”

Here’s a list of the 14 Texans players with postseason experience:

Player: Number of Playoff Games
QB Jake Delhomme: 8 – 2 WC (2003-04), 3 D (2003, 2005, 2008), 2 C (2003, 2005), 1 SB (2003)
ILB Tim Dobbins: 7 – 2 WC (2007-08), 4 D (2006-09), 1 C (2007)
P Matt Turk: 7 – 4 WC (1999-02), 3 D (1999-2000, 2002)
QB Jeff Garcia: 6 – 4 WC (2001-02, 2006-07), 2 D (2002, 2006)
K Neil Rackers: 6 – 2 WC (2008-09, 2 D (2008-09), 1 C (2008), 1 SB (2008)
FS Danieal Manning: 5 – 2 D (2006, 2010, 2 C (2006, 2010), 1 SB (2006)
DE Antonio Smith: 4 – 1 WC (2008), 1 D (2008), 1 C  (2008), 1 SB  (2008)
FS Quintin Demps: 3 – 1 WC (2008), 1 D (2008), 1 C (2008)
C Chris Myers: 2 – 1 D (2005), 1 C (2005)
CB Jason Allen: 1 – 1 WC (2008)
CB Johnathan Joseph: 1 – 1 WC (2009)
LG Wade Smith: 1 – 1 WC (2006)
WR Kevin Walter: 1 – 1 WC (2005)
RB Derrick Ward: 1 – 1 D (2008)
* WC = Wild Card round, D = Divisional round, C = Conference championship, SB = Super Bowl

THE TEXANS…

• Finished the season with a franchise-best record of 10-6. With the loss today, Houston finished the season 5-3 at home, 4-2 against AFC South opponents and 1-1 against Tennessee. Houston’s 4-2 intra-division record matches the best in team history.

• Outrushed the Titans, gaining 152 yards on the ground to Tennessee’s 60. It was the 11th time this season that the Texans outrushed their opponents, and the Texans fell to 8-3 in those games.

• Won the time of possession battle for the 12th time this season, holding the ball for 34:38. Houston fell to 9-3 in those games

• Scored on their opening possession of the game for the ninth time this season and the second game in a row.

• Led after the first quarter for the 12th time this season.

• Trailed at halftime for the fourth time this season.

• Scored on their opening possession of the second half for the 10thtime this season and the fourth consecutive game.

• Were tied after three quarters for the second time this season.

• Sold out their 100th consecutive home game, including regular season and preseason contests, with a crowd of 71,512. Houston has sold out every home game in franchise history.

• Team captains were WR Andre Johnson and C Chris Myers on offense, ILBs Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans and DE Antonio Smith on defense and K Neil Rackers representing the special teams.

• The Titans won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

TEAM RECORDS SET IN 2011…

• Wins (10) – Previous record was 9 in 2009

• Consecutive wins (7) – Previous record was 6 from 12/13/09-9/19/10

• Fewest touchdowns allowed (27) – Previous record was 39 in 2004 and 2009

• Fewest points allowed (278) – Previous record was 333 in 2009

• Fewest yards allowed (4,571) – Previous record was 5,198 in 2009

• Rushing yards gained (2,448) – Previous record was 2,042 in 2010

• Fewest rushing yards allowed (1,536) – Previous record was 1,711 in 2009

• Fewest net passing yards allowed (3,035) – Previous record was 3,141 in 2002

• Fewest first downs allowed (270) – Previous record was 291 in 2002

• Fewest interceptions thrown (9) – Previous record was 12 in 2010

• Sacks (44.0) – Previous record was 37 in 2005

• Home attendance (Season avg. 71, 496) – Previous high was 71,081 in 2010

HEAD COACH GARY KUBIAK

• Saw his record drop to 47-49 with the loss.

• Lost the final game of the regular season for the first time in his six seasons as head coach.

CB JASON ALLEN

• Made his first start since Week 5 vs. Oakland (10/9), starting in place of an inactive Johnathan Joseph. Allen finished the game with two solo tackles.

G THOMAS AUSTIN

• Saw action for the second time this season and got his most extensive playing time when he subbed for starting C Chris Myers in the second half.

OLB BRYAN BRAMAN

• Teamed with OLB Jesse Nading to sack Tennessee QB Matt Hasselbeck for a 7-yard loss in the third quarter. It was the first sack of his career.

FB JAMES CASEY

• Caught his career-high sixth pass of the season when he hauled in a 15-yard throw in the third quarter. His previous high was five receptions in Week 3 at New Orleans (9/25). He finished the game with seven catches for 91 yards with a long of 21.

QB JAKE DELHOMME

• Made his Texans debut when he stepped in for starter T.J. Yates in the first quarter. Delhomme completed 18-of-28 pass attempts for 211 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 99.0.

FS QUINTIN DEMPS

• Led the team with a career-high six tackles, all of which were solo stops.

ILB TIM DOBBINS

• Forced a fumble in the fourth quarter. It was his first forced fumble of the season and the sixth of his career.

T ANDREW GARDNER

• Made his NFL debut when he came on for a field goal attempt in the third quarter.

TE GARRETT GRAHAM

• Caught his first career pass, a 24-yard gain in the third quarter.

WR ANDRE JOHNSON

• Extended his franchise-record streak of consecutive games played with a sack to 82 when he caught a 5-yard pass in the first quarter.

WR BRYANT JOHNSON

• Caught a season-long 40-yard pass in the fourth quarter. The catch was his longest since 11/16/08 when he caught 42-yard pass for San Francisco against St. Louis.

• Caught his first touchdown of the season and the 16th of his career when QB Jake Delhomme hit him in the back of the end zone from 5 yards out late in the fourth quarter. It was Johnson’s first touchdown catch since 1/3/10 when he caught a 12-yard touchdown for Detroit against Chicago.

WR JACOBY JONES

• Caught three passes for 35 yards, which put him over 500 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. He entered the game needing 23 yards to reach the milestone.

FS SHILOH KEO

• Saw his first career action as a punt returner. He fair caught the first punt that came his way and finished the game with one return for 11 yards.

NT EARL MITCHELL

• Finished the game with a career-high six tackles, including five solo stops, and one pass defensed. His previous high was five tackles vs. Carolina (12/18).

OLB JESSE NADING

• Registered his first partial sack of the season when he teamed with OLB Bryan Braman to sack Tennessee QB Matt Hasselbeck for a 7-yard loss in the third quarter. The sack gave Nading 4.0 for his career.

• Recovered the first fumble of his career in the fourth quarter.

K NEIL RACKERS

• Made all three field goal attempts, hitting from 72, 37 and 22 yards, to give him a franchise-record 32 field goals on the season. The previous mark was 29 field goals by Kris Brown in 2008.

DE ANTONIO SMITH

• Sacked Tennessee QB Matt Hasselbeck for a 7-yard loss in the first quarter. The sack gave him 5.5 on the season, which matches his career high set in 2007 with Arizona. It also moved him past Jason Babin into third on the franchise’s all-time sack list with 14.0.

• Notched his second sack of the game when he tackled Hasselbeck for an 8-yard loss in the second quarter. The sack gave him a career-high 6.5 on the season. His 2.0 sacks also tied a career single-game high, matching his performance at Oakland on 10/3/10.

RB BEN TATE

• Made his second career start and his first since Week 3 at New Orleans (9/25), finishing with 97 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

• Scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season on a 4-yard run to cap the Texans’ opening drive. His last touchdown was in Week 11 at Tampa Bay (11/13).

• Ran for a 56-yard gain on the first play of the second half. It was the longest run of the season for the Texans and the longest of his career. The previous long was a 44-yard run by Tate at Cincinnati (12/11).

• Had a career-high 24 receiving yards and tied a career high with four receptions. His previous bests were four catches and 13 receiving yards, both at Miami in Week 2 (9/18).

RB DERRICK WARD

• Finished the game with season highs in rushing attempts and rushing yards, carrying 12 times for 50 yards. His previous highs were 11 attempts and 39 yards, both against Indianapolis in Week 1 (9/11).

QB T.J. YATES

• Started for the fifth time and completed all four of his pass attempts for 47 yards before leaving the game early in the first quarter.

QB Matt Schaub (season-ending foot injury, Week 10)
3rd in yards per attempt (8.49)
5th in passer rating (96.8)

RB Arian Foster (missed Weeks 1 & 3, hamstring)
6th in rushing yards (1,066)
T-7th in rushing touchdowns (9)
5th in rushing first downs (52)
T-9th in runs of 10+ yards (28)
3rd in yards from scrimmage (1,667)
8th in scrimmage touchdowns (11)
2nd in average yards after catch (12.5)

RB Ben Tate (missed Week 5, groin)
2nd in average yards per carry (5.5)
T-7th in rushing first downs (47)
T-4th in runs of 10+ yards (32)

CB Johnathan Joseph
T-8th in interceptions (4)
T-8th in passes defensed (15)

CB Jason Allen
T-8th in interceptions (4)

K Neil Rackers
7th in total points (115)
T-5th in field goals made (26)

P Brett Hartmann (season-ending knee injury, Week 13)
8th in punting long (69)

QB Matt Schaub (season-ending foot injury, Week 10)
3rd in yards per attempt (8.49)
5th in passer rating (96.8)

RB Arian Foster (missed Weeks 1 & 3, hamstring)
8th in rushing yards (957)
T-7th in rushing touchdowns (8)
5th in rushing first downs (47)
T-10th in runs of 10+ yards (25)
3rd in yards from scrimmage (1,500)
T-7th in scrimmage touchdowns (10)
2nd in average yards after catch (12.5)

RB Ben Tate (missed Week 5, groin)
1st in average yards per carry (5.6)
6th in rushing first downs (46)
2nd in runs of 10+ yards (32)

OLB Connor Barwin
10th in sacks (9.5)

CB Johnathan Joseph
T-7th in interceptions (4)
T-6th in passes defensed (15)

CB Jason Allen
T-7th in interceptions (4)

K Neil Rackers
7th in total points (108)
T-7th in field goals made (24)

P Brett Hartmann (season-ending knee injury, Week 13)
7th in punting long (69)

Both topics will be weekly blog posts in this space throughout the 2011 season.

QB Matt Schaub (season-ending foot injury, Week 10)
3rd in yards per attempt (8.49)
5th in passer rating (96.8)
T-10th in passes of 25+ yards (23)

RB Arian Foster (missed Weeks 1 & 3, hamstring)
T-8th in rushing yards (916)
T-6th in rushing touchdowns (8)
4th in rushing first downs (46)
T-8th in runs of 10+ yards (25)
4th in yards from scrimmage (1,426)
7th in scrimmage touchdowns (10)
2nd in average yards after catch (12.8)

RB Ben Tate (missed Week 5, groin)
4th in average yards per carry (5.5)
8th in rushing first downs (42)
T-2nd in runs of 10+ yards (29)

CB Johnathan Joseph
T-5th in interceptions (4)
T-8th in passes defensed (13)

CB Jason Allen
T-5th in interceptions (4)

K Neil Rackers
8th in total points (100)
T-7th in field goals made (22)

P Brett Hartmann (season-ending knee injury, Week 13)
7th in punting long (69)

WR Jacoby Jones
8th in punt return average (11.1)
T-3rd in punt return touchdowns (1)