The New York Jets made a bold move in signing rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez to the biggest contract in franchise history. The Jets are betting that Sanchez can lead the Jets to their first Super Bowl in 50 years.

Sanchez, drafted fifth overall, signed a 5 year deal worth $50 million. The deal guarantees Sanchez $28 million with incentives that could reach more than $60 million.

The Jets huge investment is the writing to on the wall for Kellen Clemens, the “other” Jets QB. Clemens was expected to start before Mark Sanchez was signed.

“For me, this is the tip of the iceberg,” Sanchez said yesterday. “There is so much more I want to accomplish. This doesn’t assume that you’re going to be successful. It’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

If the Jets had any reservations about signing a rookie QB to such a large contract, they only needed to look at Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, the first pick in 2008, who let Atlanta to the playoffs.

Hopefully the signing of a new QB, combined with a new head coach, will mark a new beginning for the post-Mangini Jets.

GAME INFO:

Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals
Game Date/Time:  Sat, Jan 3, 2009 4:30 pm EST : University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona
TV: NBC

THE TEAMS AGAINST THE SPREAD
The Falcons are 8-8 ATS overall, 5-3 ATS away, 1-0 as the favorite and 0-0 as the away favorite

The Cardinals are 9-7 ATS overall, 5-3 ATS at home, 7-3 as the underdog and 3-0 as a home underdog

THE LINE (subject to change)
Atlanta is the favorite by 2 points. The Over/Under is 51 1/2 points

THE PREVIEW
The Falcons played well down the stretch winning 3 of their last 4, but the one negative was Matt Ryan throwing 5 interceptions in his final 4 games. He had just 6 in his first 12 games. The Cardinals do not have a good pass defense and he is forecasted for a strong game with 250 passing yards and a rating of 91 in simulations. However, there is a 52 percent chance he throws 1 or more interceptions and the Falcons win just 35 percent of these simulations. If Ryan throws no interceptions the Falcons have a 58 percent chance of winning. Michael Turner was phenomenal at home this year averaging 129 yards on over 5 ypc, but on the road he averaged just 83 yards on 3.9 ypc. He is forecasted for a good, but not great game with nearly 90 yards. If Turner can dominate on the road like he were at home and have 100+ rushing yards the Falcons have a 68 percent chance of winning. The Cardinals are getting a great 300+ yard, 2 TD performance form Kurt Warner. Both Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are averaging over 90 receiving yards in simulations and there is a 42 percent chance that both have at least 75 yards.

The Arizona Cardinals 5-5 in their last 10 games – losing to playoff teams.  In that stretch they have only beaten the Seahawks and Rams twice and San Francisco once. They lost to New England, Philadelphia and Carolina on the road and to the Giants and Vikings at home.  The Falcons are 7-3 in their last 10 games but have beaten teams like Carolina, San Diego and Minnesota. 

THE PREDICTION
Arizona Cardinals 28  Atlanta Falcons Falcons 24

Expect Kurt Warner to have the game of his life. And the Cardinals will prevail to an overperforming Atlanta Falcons team. Remember, the Cardinals are 7-3 as ATS underdogs and 3-0 ATS as underdog at home during the 2008 regular season.
The Atlanta Falcons are 0-8 ATS after two or more consecutive wins over the last three years.

Take the Cardinals and the 2 points – and take the over in the parlay bet

Oh boy, the NFL Week 15 Power Ranking are out and the Titans have regained top billing.  The NY Giants slipped to number 2 after their week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.  Here are the rankings.
1. Titans (12-1) (2): The train keeps on rollin’. After upset loss two weeks ago to Jets, Titans back on track and on the way to No. 1 seed.

2. Giants (11-2) (1): A momentary glitch, or a sign of things to come? We’ll give the defending champs the benefit of the doubt and choose the former. For a more definitive answer, tune in on Sunday night in Big D.

3. Stillers (10-3) (3): You’ve got to be good to be lucky. In Sunday’s comeback win over the Cowboys, the Stillers were both.

4. Panthers (10-3) (6): Holy Crap(honso) Thorpe! 299 rushing yards against the Bucs? Whoa. Big challenge for Panthers now is winning on the road. They’re unbeaten at home.

5. Colts (9-4) (8): That’s six wins and counting. Home to Detroit, at Jacksonville and home to a Titans team that might not need the win in the finale, and the Colts might win out.

6. Buccaneers (9-4) (4): How often do you see this defense get pushed around like they did last night? Answer: not very.

7. Ravens (9-4) (9): Ravens are in the hunt in the AFC North, but we see Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco & Co. as a wild card team. ‘Specially if they lose at home to the Stillers this weekend.

8. Falcons (8-5) (5): Matt Ryan can’t close the deal in N’Awlins.

9. Patriots (8-5) (11): Huge day for Wes Welker as the receiver keys New England’s comeback in Seattle to insure three-way tie atop AFC East.

10. Dolphins (8-5) (14): The classic example of a well-coached team that doesn’t beat itself.

11. Cowboys (8-5) (10): Tony Romo is still a young quarterback, but he is putting together a series of late-season clunkers that can’t be ignored. Latest example: Sunday in Pittsburgh with a pick-six in the final moments against the Stillers.

12. Vikings (8-5) (12): In a word: whew! Vikes get past upset-minded Lions on the road.

13. Cardinals (8-5) (13): Kurt Warner beats his old Rams team to clinch a rare divisional title for the Cards.

14. Jets (8-5) (7): How many more ways can they break the fans’ hearts? After mega-wins at New England and Tennessee, losses to Denver and San Francisco bring them back to earth with a thud.

15. Iggles (7-5-1) (18): As long as Brian Westbrook is in the lineup, the Iggles have a chance. Massive win against defending champs on the road keeps their slim playoff hopes alive.

16. Broncos (8-5) (15): Looked like the Broncos were gonna lose against to an awful divisional opponent at home. Then Jay Cutler and the Broncos’ D saved the day against the Chiefs.

17. Saints (8-6) (17): Season-saving win over the Falcons.

18. Bears (7-6) (19): Bears manhandle woeful Jags to keep pace in what figures to be a down-to-the-wire race in the NFC North.

19. Texans (6-7) (22): It’s too little too late, but at least the Texans are showing something down the stretch.

20. 49ers (5-8) (23): Ever since Mike Singletary realized dropping his pants wasn’t the best way to win his players’ hearts, the 49ers have played some solid ball. Latest evidence: upset win over the Jets on Sunday.

21. Bills (6-7) (20): Nice way to export the NFL. Bills look completely inept in “home” game in Toronto against Dolphins.

22. Redskins (7-6) (16): They’re at Cincinnati, but they’re still no lock. They’re just awful.

23. Chargers (5-8) (26): Bolts thrash Raiders at home in 3-D on NFL Network. Whoop-de-do.

24. Packers (5-8) (21): How do you give up more than 500 yards … at home … to the Texans?

25. Jaguars (4-9) (24): Put Jack Del Rio at the head of the 2009 class of Coaches on the Hot Seat.

26. Browns (4-9) (25): Even Marty Schottenheimer is poo-pooing a return to Cleveland. Then again, he’s not offering a flat-out “no.”

27. Seahawks (2-11) (27): About the only good thing you can say about this team: They still play hard. Always the loser’s lament.

28. Chiefs (2-11) (28): See comment above.

29. Raiders (3-10) (29): The three words in the NFL that ring hollow: Pride and poise.

30. Bengals (1-11-1) (30): Well, at least Carson Palmer might not need elbow surgery.

31. Rams (2-11) (31): Did this team really beat the Redskins and Cowboys?

32. Lions (0-13) (32): Before Sunday’s game against the Vikings, head coach Rod Marinelli showed his players the team picture and asked if they wanted to see this in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, representative of the league’s first-ever 0-16 team. Even that didn’t work, as Lions blow a lead against the Vikings in what have been their last best chance to win.

Source: Newsday