AFC Championship Preview
Jet at Colts – who would have thought it. This is a most unlikely matchup indeed. Hell, if the Colts didn’t rest their players in Week 16, the Jets wouldn’t have even made the playoffs. Still, with stellar Defensive efforts and a mistake-free Offensive showings, the Jets re in the AFC Championship game to make a run at the mighty Indianapolis Colts.
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Time: Sun., January 24, 3:05 PM
Venue: Lucus Oil Stadium
MoneyLine: Jets +270 / Colts -330
Spread: Colts -7.5
Over/Under: 39
You gotta think that the Colts are more than happy to play the Jets. Afterall, the alternative would have been the Chargers who seem to have Indy’s number.
Two rookie Head Coaches take aim at their first AFC Crown.
New York Jets
The New York Jets have come out of nowhere to suddenly become a contender for the Super Bowl. A rookie Head Coach, a rookie Quarterback and a rookie Running Back have propelled this team to a level that most thought was years away. Make no mistake about it folks, the Jets will continue what has made them successful – running the ball. With a rock-steady Thomas Jones in the backfield and with the sudden emergence of rookie Shonne Greene, and his game breaking speed and size, teams can focus on the run, but cannot expect to fully contain it. If the Jets are close, they are going to run run run. The running game eats up chunks of yards and eats up chunks of time so that Peyton Manning and Company can’t embarrass you, while at the same time protects Mark Sanchez from game changing mistakes. The Jets are best when Sanchez doesn’t have to do much. Expect the same conservative approach this week
The Jets Defense has been strong all year, but they have really stepped up in the playoffs. They shut down the potent San Diego Offense last week – nuff said!!! The Jets own the #1 pass Defense in the NFL and they can stop the run too. Darrelle Revis is a Stud and will make it tough for Manning to hit Reggie Wayne. The key for the Jets is going to be the pass rush. If Peyton Manning has the time, he will find his weapons – it is imperative to keep Manning off balance.
Indianapolis Colts
Indy was supposed to be here. It’s no surprise to anyone. They boast arguably the best Quarterback in the NFL and have a winning pedigree that is not common in many teams. On Offense, Peyton Manning will obviously be the key. Afterall, the Colts have no real running game to speak of. If he can get some performances from his Offensive Line, Manning should be able to find one of his plethora of weapons. With Darrelle Revis guarding Reggie Wayne, expect Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon to be factors in the passing game. [soliloquy id=”82219″] It’s pretty hard to bet against the Indianapolis Offense isn’t it? Afterall, they already beat an elite Defense last week.
The Indianapolis Defense is an up and down unit that has had its share of injury woes this year, especially in the secondary. Now healthy, they should give Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards a hard time. Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and the rest of the front four are strong and should pester Mark Sanchez all day. The key, of course, will be stopping that run! The Front Four NEEDS to dominate to take the Jets out of their comfort zone. If they can do that, mistakes will follow and forcing mistakes usually wins you games.
Many people are calling for a close game, but the drama should end, shortly after kickoff and after the stories about the irony of the game have escaped our memory. The Colts are simply a better team!!
Gambling Trends:
NY Jets are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road
NY Jets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
NY Jets are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games
NY Jets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games
Indianapolis is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games at home
Indianapolis is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 6 games when playing NY Jets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indianapolis’s last 5 games
Pick: Indianapolis Colts
