New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
Betting Line: Bengals -2.5

New York earned their way into the playoffs with a 37-0 pasting of Cincinnati last Sunday night.

The Jets finished 1st in rushing this season and ran for 257 yards against the Bengals last week. They will look to duplicate that performance this Saturday and unveiled former NCAA QB Brad Smith in their version of the Wildcat in their thrashing of Cincinnati. RB Thomas Jones remains the bell cow in the backfield but Smith ran for 92 yards on only four carries, including a 57-yard romp. The Bengals ranked 2nd in run defense before last week so they certainly have the potential to right the ship in this contest but their confidence was shaken on Sunday. QB Mark Sanchez has thrown 20 interceptions this year and has to take better care of the ball for New York to be successful. Expect the Bengals to show several seven and eight-man fronts in an attempt to force Sanchez to audible into passes. CBs Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph are a good pair of corners and Def. Co. Mike Zimmer trusts them in man-to-man coverage.

Cincinnati also wants to run the ball and will look to RB Cedric Benson to carry the load. That strategy has proven successful this season as the Bengals are 8-2 SU this year when Benson runs for 74+ yards. The Jets ranked 1st in total defense in 2009 and 1st in pass defense. They know Benson's importance to the offense and look for them to concentrate on stopping him. CB Darrelle Revis is the top cover corner in the league right now and he'll stick close to WR Chad Ochocinco, who is suffering from a knee injury. New York's pass rush has improved significantly throughout the season and they have accumulated 2+ sacks in nine of their last 10 games. QB Carson Palmer had a solid season but the Bengals lack a consistent, reliable threat after Ochocinco.

New York led the NFL in rushing, scoring defense, overall defense and pass defense. Sanchez is prone to mistakes but the Jets are doing their best to keep him out of disadvantageous situations. Cincinnati is playing in only their second playoff game since 1991 and the tragic death of WR Chris Henry still hovers over them. New York doesn't score a ton of points but certainly know how to prevent them. Bad weather will only help the Jets as they are a run-first team and Smith gives them an added dimension. Take the Jets