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NY Jets @ Bengals Playoff Game Spread: New York Jets (34.5) at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
After playing the final regular season game of the 2009 campaign last Sunday night in New York, the Jets and Bengals will begin the NFL’s postseason on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati. In their only prior playoff meeting, the Jets rolled to a 44-17 victory at Cincinnati in 1982.
New York Jets (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS)
New York secured the final AFC playoff spot with a 37-0 rout of Cincinnati in week 17. The Jets used their basic formula to defeat the Bengals. New York will attempt to run the football on offense and impose its will on defense again this weekend. The Jets led the NFL in rushing offense during the regular season. Veteran Thomas Jones is the league’s 3rd-leading rusher with 1,402 yards. He is complimented in the New York backfield by rookie Shonn Greene (540 yards).
Up front on the offensive line, center Nick Mangold and guard Alan Faneca were named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster. Through the air, the Jets will look for rookie signal-caller Mark Sanchez to manage the game on Saturday with temperatures expected to be below 20 degrees in Cincinnati. He has been intercepted 20 times in an inconsistent season. Wideout Jerricho Cotchery leads the squad in receptions with 57.
On defense, the Jets lead the NFL in total, scoring and passing defense. All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis leads the squad. First-year head coach Rex Ryan will try to win his postseason debut after being a longtime defensive coordinator in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-6 SU, 7-9 ATS)
After dropping three of its final four games to conclude the regular season, the Bengals are hoping that the home energy for a rare playoff game will provide a boost. Cincinnati is in the postseason for just the second time in the last 19 years after capturing the AFC North crown. Like the Jets, the Bengals will try to control the ball with its ground game. Cincinnati is 9th in the NFL in rushing offense. After missing last week’s contest, top runner Cedric Benson is set to return. He is 8th in the league in rushing with 1,251 yards.
Cincinnati does have a more balanced offense to work with than New York. While he has had better seasons in the past, veteran quarterback Carson Palmer (21 TD passes in 2009) is a capable performer. Wideout Chad Ochocinco continues to be a threat at receiver after hauling in 72 catches during the regular season.
Without much fanfare, the Bengals will bring the NFL’s 4th-best total defense into Saturday’s matchup. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has vastly improved the unit since arriving on the Bengals staff in 2008. Cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph have each picked off six passes this season. Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis is in his seventh season with the Bengals. He is 56-55-1 during his tenure with only two losing campaigns. Lewis lost his only prior playoff game with the Bengals in 2005 at home against Pittsburgh.
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