The AFC playoff picture will become much clearer this weekend.  The New York Jets take on the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals to AFC wildcard Saturday, Jan 9, 2010. On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens head to Foxboro to take on the AFC East champion New England Patriots. Here are some pre-game insights and predictions for the AFC matchup between the Jets and the Bengals.

Jets coach Rex Ryan says the Jets should be the favorite to win the Superbowl, but not even all-time Jet Joe Namath agrees. For a first-year NFL coach those are pretty big words, especially with a rookie QB leading the team. But there could be some credence in what he says – just take a look at the NFL regular season statistics.

The Jets are ranked 1st in the total defense (1ST against the pass/8th against the rush). Offensively they are ranked 20th in total offense but 1st in Rushing and 31st in passing. Pretty impressive statistics! And remember, the Jets beat the undefeated Colts in week 16 and routed the Bengals in week 17 to get an AFC wildcard spot.

However we know the Bengals are no slouches defensively. They are ranked 4th in total defense (8th against the pass/7th against the rush). Offensively they are ranked 24th overall (9th in rushing/26th in passing).

Many of the NFL analysts say you can throw away the stats from last week’s matchup, but some are too startling too avoid:

• The Bengals had only 5 first downs in the entire game to the Jets 21
• The Bengals averaged 1.8 yards per play to the Jets 4.4
• The Bengals rushed and netted only 72 yards – the Jets 257 on the ground with a net of 320
• Starting QB Carson Palmer had 0 yards passing (1/11 with 1 interception)
• The Bengals time of possession was 18:46 minutes to the Jets 41:14

While we don’t expect another shutout by the Jets, we do expect a repeat performance by the Jets running attack. We also see Mr. Revis shutting down Ochocinco (or is it Johnson?) and the Bengals passing game.

Yes, the Bengals are playing at home but we feel the pressure is on them to win since they’ve been in the playoffs only twice since 1990 (1990, 2005 – both division championships).

The Bengals are favorite by 2 points In this AFC playoff match-up. The under/over is 34 points.

Thenflthisweek.com prediction for AFC Wildcard Saturday

Jets 28 Bengals 7

Thenflthisweek.com has ranked the top 10 NFL teams going into the NFL Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. Factors that were used in determining the top 10 include: regular season record, momentum, critical injuries, offensive and defensive stats, coaching and intangibles.

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Although the Colts lost the last two games after winning 14 in a row, they are poised to go far in the 2010 NFL playoffs. Superstar QB Peyton Manning has already won a Superbowl and is always Mr. Clutch. They have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and will benefit from the bye-week. And don’t be misled by the fact they are ranked last in the entire NFL in rushing (#18 defense overall)- it’s their passing game that ranks them #1 in our rankings and passing ability has been the key for the top ranked NFL teams.

2. San Diego Chargers (13-3)
The Chargers high powered passing game is the reason for them being ranked in the number 2 spot. QB Phillip Rivers has thrown for 28 TDs and 104.4 QB rating. Just above the Colts, they have the second worst ranking in the rushing category (#16 overall defense. They have the #10 ranked offense.

3. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
The Cowboys have been impressive over the second half of the season and even owner Jerry Jones hasn’t been able to find anything to be mad at. QB Tony Romo has been extremely effective and the Cowboys are clicking on all cylinders. The Cowboys are ranked #2 in Total Offense in the entire NFL. The Cowboys defense is ranked #9 in the entire NFL. But what puts the Cowboys at #3 is they have their confidence back.

4. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
The Saints are #1 in the NFL in total offense and QB Drew Brees has thrown for 34 TDs and only 11 Interceptions – his QB rating is 109.6. They have three effective rushers in Mike Bell (654 yds 5 TDs), Pierre Thomas (793 yds, 6 TDs) and Reggie Bush (390 yds, 5 TDs). However, the Saints offense is tempered by their defensive ranking of 25th in the NFL. The Saints have slid to #4 in our NFL ranking because they have lost their last three games.

5. New England Patriots (10-6)
What can say about the Patriots. They have arguably, the best coach in the game; combine that with the history of future hall-of-famer Tom Brady and you have a team that ranks at the top in the NFL. The Pats are ranked #3 in total offense and #11 in total defense. In ranking the Pats, the uncertainty of the health of formidable receiver Wes Welker puts them in the #5 spot.

6. New York Jets (9-7)
Surprised? Shouldn’t be! Although the Colts and Bengal fans may feel that the Jets won those games because their opponents had nothing to play for. Regardless, the Jets are hitting their stride and are managing the play of rookie QB – Mark Sanchez just enough to avoid his rookie mistakes. The Jets are ranked #1 in Rushing and #1 in total defense in the entire NFL. The Jets do belong!

7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
You don’t hear much about the abilities of the Green Bay Packers but they are for real. They have the #6 ranked offense and #2 ranked defense – very impressive stats. QB Aaron Rogers hsa thrown for 30 TDs and only 7 Interceptions with a 103.2 QB ranking. Their rushing attack is led by Ryan Grant (1253 yds, 11 TDs). Donald Driver (70 recs, 1061 yds, 7 TDs) and Greg Jennings (68 recs, 1113 yds, 4 TDs) are the 1-2 punch of the Packers passing game.

8. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
The Vikings are led by 20-year NFL veteran Brett Favre. They are ranked #5 in total offense and #6 in total defense – an excellent balance. Early in the season the Vikings defense were just outstanding. However, the season ending injury to E.J Henderson has made the defense more vulnerable. Although the Vikings won their last game against the “lay-down” Giants, in their 3 previous games Brett threw 4 TDs and 3 Interceptions and Adrian Peterson didn’t have a 100 yard game. The Vikings are vulnerable and that’s the reason for their position in thenflthisweek.com ranking. And don’t forget the Brad Childress – Brett Favre episode that happened a few weeks ago. If you think it’s over – think again. There is a power struggle in Minnesota!

9. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
The NFL top ranked teams all have one thing in common – great QBs, and Kurt Warner is no exception. The Cards offense and defensive numbers aren’t that impressive (#14 total offense, #20 total defense), but they have two proven wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald (97 recs, 1092 yds 13 TDs) and Anquan Boldin (84 recs, 1024 yds, 4 TDs).

10. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
The Eagles have had an impressive season and added some creativity to their offense with the addition of Michael Vick. The Eagles, like all NFC East teams pride themselves on great defense. They have the #11 ranked offense and #12 ranked defense, putting them in top third of the league. Although the Eagles won’t beat the Cowboys in the Wild card weekend game, they are our number 10 ranked team.

There is one commonality of the top 10 ranked teams going into the 2010 NFL playoffs. A great QB and a top ranked passing game. And as long the defense is mediocre in passing defense, being the worst against the rush hasn’t mattered.

source: nfl.com

The 2010 NFL Playoff schedule kicks off this Saturday with what is better known as Wild Card Weekend. Interestingly enough, three of four games are rematches of the final week of the NFL season. The Jets do it again against the Bengals, Eagles repeat against the Cowboys and the Packers mix it up again with the Cardinals. Here is the 201 NFL playoff schedule for Wild Card Weekend.

The New York Jets (9-7) will visit Ohio to take on the AFC North division champion Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) in the first of 4 NFL playoff games this weekend; kickoff is 4:30 pm ET.
The Jets truly earned their spot into the Wild Card Weekend, beating the undefeated Indianapolis Colts on week 15 and then demolishing the Bengals in the last week of the NFL regular season 37-0. Don’t expect the Jets to beat the Bengals by the same score, but it sure does look like they are just hitting their stride.
Thenflthisweek.com prediction: Jets 28 Bengals 7

On Saturday evening, the Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) head to Texas to take on the NFC East Division Champion Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at 8:00 pm ET. The Eagles are also looking for revenge of their final regular season game loss to the Cowboys 24-7. That loss gave the Cowboys the NFC East title and homefield advantage for the Wild Card Weekend matchup. Cowboys also look like they are clicking on all cylinders.
Thenflthisweek.com prediction: Cowboys 31 Eagles 14

On Sunday, Wild Card Weekend continues with the other AFC wildcard winner, Baltimore Ravens (9-7), traveling to play the AFC East champion New England Patriots (10-6) in a 1:00 pm ET start. In week 16 of the NFL season the Ravens clinched the wildcard spot with a win over the Oakland Raiders 21-13 while the Patriots lost to the Houston Texans 34-27.
Ravens had a tough time beating the lowly Raiders while the Patriots seemed to be in “rest” mode against the Texans.
Thenflthisweek.com prediction: Patriots 21 Ravens 17

And finally, game 4 of the Wild Card Weekend is the Green Bay Packers (11-5) heading to the desert to play the AFC West champion Arizona Cardinals (10-6) at 4:00 EST. In week 16 action, the Packers beat the Cards 33-7. Again, don’t expect to see the same result.
Tough call here – but playing home in the desert definitely gives the Cards a sizable advantage.
Thenflthisweek.com prediction: Cardinals 24 Packers 21

The 2010 NFL Playoff Schedule has NFC first-round byes to the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings while the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers enjoy an AFC first-round bye.