New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has guaranteed a Jet win Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 16 of the NFL season. If he’s right the Jets secure a berth in the AFC Playoffs with a wild card selection and the fifth seed.

“We won’t lose this game”, said Edwards to reporters on Wednesday. “We want it too bad. You can just talk to the guys and get a feel. You can listen to (coach Rex Ryan’s) conviction when he talks to us”. Braylon goes on, “Guys are serious about winning this game. Guys aren’t talking about New Year’s Eve. Guys aren’t talking about family. All guys are talking about is the playoffs…”

Edwards comments may be arrogant but it brings up a dilemma for the Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. If the Bengals beat the Jets they will face either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the AFC playoffs. If the Bengals lose, they face the Jets at home in week 17.

Think about it, if you were coach Lewis who would you rather face: the Jets QB Mark Sanchez, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger or Ravens QB Joe Flacco and linebacker Ray Lewis?

The comments made by Braylon Edwards are sure to fire up the Bengals, but it will certainly do the same to his Jet teammates. Comments like this made by players are usually frowned upon, but Rex Ryan has been known to encourage trash talking by his players.

We’ll have to wait for Sunday, January 3, 2010, the first and last game NFL football game at Giants stadium, to see if Edwards words are golden.

The AFC Championship game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is will be a low scoring affair with the Pittsburgh Steelers ending up on top.  Here are the 3 reasons why:

1. The Steelers number one ranked defense will dominate and keep the Ravens from scoring even one touchdown. 
2. Experienced QB versus the rookie. The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has the experience. He has won before in an AFC Championship Game and he has a Superbowl ring.  The Ravens Joe Flacco will be overwelmed by the tenacious “D” of the Steelers
3. Steelers are at Home.

GAME INFO

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM EST
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms

THE SPREAD
The Pittsburgh Steelers are favored by 6 points.  The Over/Under is 34 points
GAME TRENDS
Top Trends
PITTSBURGH is 77-48 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 38-18 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 38-22 ATS in all games where the total is 35 or less since 1992.
BALTIMORE is 14-4 ATS in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 14-4 ATS in all lined games this season.
BALTIMORE is 8-2 ATS in road games this season.
BALTIMORE is 8-2 ATS in road lined games this season.
BALTIMORE is 11-3 ATS against conference opponents this season.
BALTIMORE is 12-3 ATS in games played on a grass field this season.
 
 
Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 4-2 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons 
PITTSBURGH is 3-3 straight up against BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons 
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons 
 

GAME PREDICTION
Pittsburgh Steelers 17  Baltimore Ravens 3

The Ravens offensive line will not be able to provide QB Joe Flacco enough time to throw or be able to help their running game.  Big Ben Roethlisberger will do enough to get the Steelers in the endzone and win in a low scoring contest.

sources: nfl.com, espn.com, thespread.com, fox.com