NFL WILDCARD PLAYOFFS PICKS AND ANALYSIS: NEW YORK JETS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The New York Jets needed a miracle to reach the playoffs, but they managed to find a way into the postseason.  They clinched the wild card berth with a blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals at home last Sunday, and now face the Bengal again on the road in the opening round of the postseason.  New York enters this game having won five of their last six games.  Cincinnati, meanwhile, limped into the playoffs with only one win in their final four contests.  The Jets have dominated the series of late, winning seven of the last eight matchups.  The NFL betting line for this game has the Bengals installed as a -2’ point home favorite with the total set at 34.

Cincinnati had already clinched a playoff spot when they headed to the Meadowlands to play the Jets last week, and as a result opted to keep most of their offensive and defensive schemes ‘under wraps’ as well as rest their starters.  Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco failed to catch a single pass, the first time in 120 games he’s been shut out.  He tweaked his knee when he slipped on a slick field during warm ups but is expected to play here.  Running back Cedric Benson sat out the Bengals’ season finale but will be back in the lineup here.  Overall, the Bengals scored the fewest points of any playoff team and finished the regular season ranked #24 in total offense.

That could be a problem against a New York Jets’ team that leads the NFL in scoring defense (14.8 PPG) and total defense.  Like their opponents, however, New York has had their own issues scoring points and moving the football.  They’re led by a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez that has shown moments of brilliance, but has been inconsistent and interception prone for much of the year.  Overall, the Jets are ranked 20th in scoring offense and 17th in points per game.

After the past two weeks, it’ll be a different dynamic for the Jets as they face a team that is actually trying to win a game.  Two weeks ago, they were essentially handed a victory by the Indianapolis Colts who pulled their starters in the second half.  Last week, they faced a Bengals team that was resting starters and keeping their entire offense and defense painfully simple.  The Jets, meanwhile, pulled out all stops trying to secure the playoff berth meaning there won’t be any secrets for the Bengals’ defense.

Cincinnati has the superior rushing game and much more experience at the skill positions.  It’s a lot to ask a rookie quarterback to win a playoff game on the road, and that difficulty is enhanced by the fact that Jets’ head coach Rex Ryan is also making his NFL post season debut.  The Bengals no doubt want to atone for their embarrassing performance last week on national TV and they should get the job done here with a win and a pointspread cover.  Tough to go UNDER such an already low total, but that’s the only way you can play it between these two.

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