| 06 January 2010
However, was it meaningful? Will there be a lasting effect?
I don't think so. The Jets had everything to play for and the Bengals had already mentally packed it in. Therefore, despite how bad the Bengals have looked recently, I think they're going to turn around and beat the Jets in the playoffs on Saturday in Cincinnati.
First of all, I will take a match-up against a rookie quarterback anytime in the playoffs. Mark Sanchez is probably going to be a good NFL QB down the line; right now he's pedestrian at best.
New York has a great running game (No. 1 in the NFL in rushing at 172.2 yards per game), an excellent defense (No. 1 in the NFL in total defense at 252.3 ypg) and that is what makes them a difficult opponent. But guess what, the same is true of the Bengals. They are a good running team (No. 9 in the NFL at 128.5 ypg) with a quality defense (No. 4 in the NFL at 301.4 ypg).
The difference is Cincinnati can pass the ball and the Jets struggle in that department. The Bengals rank just 26th in the NFL in passing this season at 180.6 ypg, but the Jets are 31st - second-to-last in the NFL only in front of the Browns - with 148.8 ypg. And while the Bengals haven't been prolific throwing the ball this season, I'll gladly take Carson Palmer in a playoff game over Sanchez. At least there is a chance Palmer could get hot in the postseason. (Then again, that would take offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski having a clue as to what he's doing. So, maybe I'm off base here. But I still think Palmer is capable of making some big throws, even against a defense like the Jets.)
Oh yeah, and the Bengals are playing at home. It is going to be a loud environment in Paul Brown Stadium with Bengal fans starving for their first playoff victory since 1990. If the Bengals can stack the box and make Sanchez beat them -- which is exactly the blueprint defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will probably use -- they might be able to get an early lead and really get the fans into the game. I think the Jets will be surprised just how loud it gets in The Jungle at times.
I am somewhat concerned about the amount of injuries the Bengals have racked up, but it's time to just enjoy the ride. The Bengals haven't qualified for the postseason very much in any of our lifetimes and they got it done this year. Can they flip the switch and perform like they did during the middle-part of the 2009 season? We shall find out very soon.
But I'm confident they will get it done. Prediction: Bengals 20, Jets 13.
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