(Reuters) - The Houston Texans used a stifling defense to defeat the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 19-13 in the National Football League wild-card playoff opener on Saturday.

The Texans reversed a late-season slide of three losses from their last four games by stopping the Bengals attack cold, while Houston's blend of the run and pass dominated a game that had six field goals, four by Houston.

Running back Arian Foster rushed for 140 yards on 32 carries and quarterback Matt Schaub completed 29-of-38 passes for 261 yards as Houston reprised their first-round success last year over Cincinnati, who have gone 22 years without a playoff win.

With the victory, the AFC South champion Texans advance to a second-round showdown against the AFC East-winning New England Patriots on January 13.

(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Frank Pingue)