Wild Card Weekend: Saturday's Games

5. New York Jets @ 4. Cincinnati Bengals

GAME PREVIEW

The first match up of Wild Card weekend happens to be the rematch of the final regular season game of the 2009 season. In a win or go home game for the Jets, they absolutely throttled the Bengals, holding them to 72 yards of total offense en route to a 37-0 rout. Carson Palmer was awful in his one half of work, completing only one of his 11 passes including an interception, with his main target Chad Ochocino hurt before the opening kickoff in pre game workouts. The Jets used strong defense and over 250 yards rushing to dismantle the Bengals, with unsung hero Thomas Jones finding pay dirt another two times.

Now the rematch changes venues and the stakes are much higher, however the keys to victory for the both teams have not changed. For the Jets, they need a manageable, turnover free game from rookie QB Mark Sanchez, who has stayed relatively mistake-free the last two weeks in must-win games. The rushing attack headed by Thomas Jones needs to be the focal part of their offense for the Jets to have success, especially with Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph commanding Cincy’s secondary.

For the Bengals, Cedric Benson has been a workhorse all season long, and is well rested after having off last weekend to continue nursing a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the season. Many will point to the experience difference between the two quarterbacks in this game, but keep in mind, Carson Palmer has thrown exactly one pass in his postseason career after suffering a devastating injury in 2005 against the eventual Super Bowl champion Steelers. Palmer’s favorite target, Ochocinco, is listed as questionable for the game, however all signs are pointing to him playing in this game. They will need others to step up in the passing game with stud all-pro CB Darrelle Revis shadowing Ochocinco, Two strong defenses with two suspect offenses figures to make the first game of Wild Card weekend a low scoring, defensive affair.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: WR Chad Ochocinco vs. CD Darrelle Revis

Ochocinco once again opened his mouth to the media last week, calling out Revis who has done nothing but shut down every #1 WR the Jets have come across this year. With 85 already hobbling, look for Revis to try to jam Ochocinco at the line, forcing Palmer to look elsewhere.

PLAYOFF FANTASY START/SIT

NYJ

START: RB Thomas Jones- He will be good for 100 yards and a score, and should be heavily looked at as an RB2 this weekend

SIT: WR Braylon Edwards- Sanchez will have difficulties against the Cincy secondary, making Edwards deep play potential even more limited.

CIN

START: Bengals Defense- Sanchez is good for at least two turnovers in this one, and if the Bengals can get some pressure, the sacks will mount on the rookie.

SIT: WR Chad Ochocinco- He will lead the team in targets, but expect Revis and the Jets to contain him all day.

PREDICTION: A few weeks ago, the Bengals were looked at as a possible Super Bowl contender after sweeping the Ravens and Steelers. They will not make it past the first round once again, and the team that many claimed “backed-in” to the playoffs will live to fight another week. JETS

6. Philadelphia Eagles @ 3. Dallas Cowboys

GAME PREVIEW

The second game of Wild Card Weekend is another rematch of a Week 17 game, and another repeat of a shutout game, in which the Cowboys throttled the Eagles 24-0. Throughout the week, the talk of the previous Cowboys December woes has gone away, replaced with many of the experts picking “America’s team” as the sudden favorites in the NFC. It is hard to disagree with that assessment, as the defense has not allowed a point in over two games, and the offense led by a confident Tony Romo has been clicking on all cylinders.

The Eagles come into this game as an 11-5 number six seed, which shows how strong the NFC has been this year. However, the Eagles are 0-4 against current playoff teams, so when they have been tested, they have come up short. The defense especially has been awful, allowing close to 23 points per game in those four loses. The Eagles certainly have the firepower to win this game and make a run in the playoffs with the offensive weapons at their disposal; however the team showed their youth last week with another Donovan McNabb big-game clunker. The Eagles passed the ball an astounding 19 times in 23 plays in the first half against the Cowboys last week, and they will need to get back to some kind of balance to keep the Dallas defense from teeing off again on McNabb. They also need to find ways to get their talented playmaker Desean Jackson the ball more, as his two worst games this season have come against these Cowboys. If McNabb and Jackson can convert on a few big plays, the Eagles will have a great chance to come away from Dallas with the win. If not, it may signal McNabb’s final game in an Eagles uniform and another season of playoff disappointment for Philadelphia.

For the Cowboys, the balanced attack on offense coupled with the hottest unit in the league (the Boys defense) has allowed them to come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, and after knocking off the previously undefeated Saints, they have a newfound confidence that will be very difficult to stop in this game. The much maligned Tony Romo has overcome his December demons, averaging over 300 yards per game in the month. However, Romo in his career is 0-2 in the playoffs, with critical mistakes dooming the Cowboys at the end of both games. He must stay mistake free against a turnover-driven Eagle defense and keep the time consuming drives together to keep the high powered Eagles offense off the field. The Cowboys have not won a playoff game in 14 years, while the Eagles have never lost in the first round under Andy Reid, though the 2009 Cowboys have looked like just the team to fight the historical odds against them in this game.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: RB’s Marion Barber and Felix Jones vs. Eagles D

The opening drive of last week’s beat down featured gashing runs by the Cowboys version of “thunder and lightning”, and that balance on offense will be the ultimate key to who wins this game. If the Eagles allow these two backs to run all over them, it will make Romo’s job much easier, and make this already hesitant defense to rethink blitzing the quarterback.

PLAYOFF FANTASY START/SIT

PHI

START: TE Brent Celek- He has become McNabb’s favorite and most reliable target, and with the heavy blitz expected, look for him to get a lot of check-downs and big gains.

SIT: RB Brian Westbrook- Might have a small number value in your league which would look like a bargain, but Westbrook is not the same back anymore and will have a tough time making cuts against this fast Dallas defense.

DAL

START: RB Felix Jones- He is quietly averaging over seven yards per rush, and his workload will be even more increased as the Cowboys will look for big plays from their backfield. A great value pick.

SIT: QB Tony Romo- While he has been hot, look for him to commit a few turnovers, and with guys like Brady, Rodgers, and Warner playing this weekend, it would be best to sit Romo.

PREDICTION While the historical stats would suggest the Eagles would run away with this game, the Cowboys are simply too hot after coming off the blowout from last weekend. Expect a close, high scoring game. COWBOYS