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New York Jets (11-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
Last season the AFC playoffs ended with this matchup, this
season they start with this matchup. Both teams couldn’t be more different in
their style of playing. The Indianapolis Colts prefer a passing game, led by
Hall of Fame bound Peyton Manning. The New York Jets on the other hand rely on
a running game, consisting of Shonn Greene and LaDanian Tomlinson.
While there is no doubt that the Colts posses the better
quarterback, the New York Jets receiver corps consisting of Santonio Holmes,
Braylon Edwards and Dustin Keller matches up pretty well with Reggie Wayne,
Pierre Garcon and Jacob Tamme. The Colts rely on their guys far more than Mark
Sanchez to whom the receivers are a dangerous addition to an established
running game.
There are major discrepancies in the teams’ running games.
While the Colts finished ranking 29th in rushing offense the New
York Jets have the 4th best running game in the league, averaging
148.4 yards per game.
Joesph Addai’s injury forced Donald Brown to carry the main
workload in the running game. Indianapolis’ backfield may however look
completely different in the playoffs with both Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes
expected to play and share carries. This said, The New York Jets still have the
better one-two punch with Shonn Green and LaDanian Tomlinson and should have
another good night.
The New York Jets had one of the best defenses in the
league. They allowed the 6th fewest passing yards in the regular
season and have to be at their best in order to shut down Peyton Manning &
Co. Safety Jim Leonhard will be dearly missed, but Eric Smith is expected to be
back on the field. Manning may try to avoid CB Antonio Cromartie as he
intercepted 3 passes in the regular season.
The Colts pass defense ranks 13th in the NFL and
Mark Sanchez is well advised to throw accurately as the entire defensive
backfield is capable of not only intercepting passes but also carrying the ball
back for plenty of yardage. FS Antoine Bethea is a player who reads the game
pretty well.
New York Jets’ run defense ranks 3rd among NFL
teams and especially the ILBs David Harris and Bart Scott, but also NT Sione
Pouha will make it hard for the Colts’ running backs to gain any yardage on the
ground.
Indianapolis Colts’ run defense will have their hands full
in order to stop New York’s running game. Their linebacker corps consists of
good tacklers, and they need to be, to prevent the Jets from moving the chain.
The defensive line, especially the DEs
Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, will try to force Mark Sanchez into
making hasty decisions.
The game plans for this clash are pretty predictable. The
Colts will pass a lot and Manning will test New York’s defensive backfield
until he finds a weakness that he can exploit. The New York Jets will run to
control the clock and keep Peyton Manning off the field. But is this the key to
success? It all comes down to Indianapolis’ running game. If they can establish
it and help Manning to mix things up in the offensive play choice then they
stand a good chance to win. If the Jets can stop it they will advance. After
all, the New York Jets are built for the playoffs.
Prediction: New York Jets 27 Indianapolis Colts 24
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