Bengals QB Dalton misses practice with flu

CINCINNATI - Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton missed practice on Wednesday with the flu, but is expected to be ready for a playoff game in Houston.

Coach Marvin Lewis said Dalton should be back at practice on Thursday.

"He's got the flu. They got him tanked up with fluids today. He will be ready to go tomorrow (Thursday)," Lewis said on Jim Rome's national sports talk radio show on Wednesday.

Dalton has been looking forward to playing Saturday in Reliant Stadium, where he's never lost. He grew up in suburban Houston and won two games at Reliant as a high school quarterback, then another while at TCU.

"I'm excited for Andy." It's a great, great thing." He's going home," Lewis said.

The Bengals (9-7) are trying to get their first playoff win since the 1990 season. Dalton played a big part in getting them there, setting club passing records for a rookie while teaming with rookie receiver and Pro Bowl selection A.J. Green.

Numerous fans who are going to make the trip to Houston picked up their playoff tickets at Paul Brown Stadium on Wednesday. People interested in buying tickets should call the Bengals ticket office at (513)621-8383.

That's not the only place you can find tickets. Resold tickets are available on StubHub at http://www.stubhub.com/houston-texans-playoff-tickets/texans-vs-bengals-1-7-2012-2781183/ .

And while it may be appealing to go to the playoff game, it could cost fans. To read about the estimated cost of going to a playoff game, read John Matarese's story at http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/money/consumer/dont_waste_your_money/800-to-see-the-bengals-in-the-playoffs .