Playoff Preview: Jets vs. Patriots

While the NFC side of the playoffs seems a tad mundane and uninteresting, the AFC Divisional games are stacked. In two battles of division foes, the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh and the Jets head to Foxboro. The game that I most look forward to is the former, which will prove to be a tough, hard-nosed football game that should feature little offensive proficiency. Despite this game promising to be an amazing battle, it is not the game that has been getting all of press.

The AFC games have both been at the forefront of the media with players and coaches going back forth at each other, especially the Jets and Patriots. Jet coach Rex Ryan has been at conflict with Bill Belichick and the Patriots since he was hired. However, this playoff version of Ryan versus the league's most consistent franchise has been uniquely venomous. The hatred seems to have been brewing since the Patriots embarrassed the Jets 45-3  in Week 13. Throw in a few choice slights directed at Brady from Ryan and Antonio Cromartie along with a Wes Welker low blow meant for Ryan and all signs point to an extremely contentious ball game on Sunday. But enough of the soap opera that has clouded this game, let us talk football for a second. The two teams split the season series, with the Jets winning by fourteen early in the season and the Patriots winning in a complete blowout at the end of the year. The standing question over the past week has been, which game will be more indicative of this upcoming game's outcome?

Obviously, no one knows for sure what the outcome of this highly anticipated match up will be, but it seems that the overall consensus pick is New England in a game only slightly prettier than the Week 13 game. The Patriots and Tom Brady have been simply on fire since they lost to the woeful Cleveland Browns earlier in the season. Brady has all but assured himself the MVP and looks to add a Superbowl victory and MVP to his loot from this season. But Ryan and the Jets will not go down easily by any means. Ryan has instilled a never back down, never die attitude in the Jets, and their confidence frequently shines through, maybe even too often. But will their short memory of the last game be a positive attribute or a detriment? Can they fix the issues on the defense that the Patriots gutted time and time again while waltzing to an easy victory? Personally, I see no way that the Jets will let this game get away from them. I believe that Ryan will have them prepared to play their divisional nemesis and that this game will be much closer than the critics are claiming. Their defense will rise up and help their often unpredictable sophomore quarterback feel more comfortable under center. If they can keep the game close, their running game and short passing game will remain in the mix allowing for a more versatile offense that will keep the Patriots defense on their heels. Take these things into consideration and add a personal hunch, and I predict a 24-20 shocker from the Jets. Will I be right and will there be a changing of the guard in the AFC East? Tune in to your television this Sunday to find out.