With the matchups set and the games just days away we decided to take a look at each game and break them down based on matchups and eventually give a prediction. Here we take a look at the two AFC games this weekend.
Game 1-Jets at Bengals (4:30pm NBC Saturday)
Jets Offense vs. Bengals Defense
The key here, as it is every game for the Jets, is to not put Mark Sanchez in a position where he needs to throw it too much. The Jets have one of, if not the best O-Line in football and a great running back in Thomas Jones. The Jets will try and lean on the run early and often and if they are successful in establishing that run, it will allow for a possible longball to Braylon Edwards through play-action. If the Bengals D can stop the run from the gate, they should be able to tee off on Sanchez and force him into the turnovers he's made all season.
Bengals Offense vs. Jets Defense
The sexy matchup is of course Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis and Chad Ocho Cinco. Revis completely shut down Chad in the season finale, holding him to 0 catches. Chad was hampered by an injury he sustained pre-game, however that is no excuse for catching no balls when there were plenty thrown in your direction. The Jets finished the regular season as the number one defense in terms of points allowed and I don't see any reason why they won't continue that success this week. The Bengals are not the high flying offense they once were in 2005 and if they cannot get Cedric Benson going, then they will be shut down.
Bottom Line
Even though Mark Sanchez has played miserably at times this year, I don't believe he will ever be in the position to make such mistakes. I don't see him even throwing over 20 passes. The Jets need to establish the run and they will, that offensive line is too good to not get a good push against the Bengals front seven. On defense, the Jets will do what they do best and that is stop the run, and Revis will continue to do what he's done all year and that's shut down top wideouts. I don't believe the home field will do anything for the Bengals and I don't like the fact that they closed out the season losing 3 out of their last 4 games. This just isn't a good matchup for Cincinnati.
Prediction: Jets 17 Bengals 13
Game 2-Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots (1:00PM CBS Sunday)
Ravens Defense vs. Patriots Offense
The Ravens D is salivating at this matchup. The last time these teams met, the game came down to the wire and if not for an inexplicable Mark Clayton drop on 4th down, there is a good chance the Ravens win that game at New England earlier in the year. However, this all comes down to one person who will NOT be on the field for this game and that person is Wes Welker. The Pats will not be able to run against the Ravens and without Welker shouldering the load in the short passing game, who is going to open things up for Randy Moss downfield? Look for Ray Lewis and Co. to get after Brady early and often especially after the bogus penalties they incurred in the last game for late shots on Brady. Brady is nursing cracked ribs and a broken finger as well.
Ravens Offense vs. Patriots Defense
The Pats D has seemed to execute better since their debacle in the Superdome a couple weeks ago. Goal #1 would be to stop the run and Pro Bowler Ray Rice is the straw that stirs the drink for the Ravens offense. Willis McGahee has proved to be effective when called upon this season, especially last week when he rushed for 167 yards and 3 TDs in Oakland. They will lean heavily on both of these guys who will deliver against a mediocre defense.
Bottom Line
Betting against New England at home in the playoffs with Brady and Belichick in uniform and hoody is never a wise decision, but in this case, I really don't see how they can win this game. It will be extremely difficult moving the football against this Ravens D without Welker. The Patriots offense played a couple games this year without Welker and they just weren't the same, i.e. 2nd game of the season against the Jets. Without Welker, the Ravens will double Moss all day and Brady will be under constant duress. I see two away teams coming away with W's this week in the AFC.
Prediction-Ravens 24 Patriots 14
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