New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview
Opening Line: Jets +7.5 / Colts -7.5 O/U 39.5
Time: 3 PM EST Sunday January 24 2010 on CBS
This Sunday in the nation's heartland the Indianapolis Colts host the New York Jets. This is a match of the 2nd to last game of the season where the Jets beat the Colts in Indy, but that was without MVP Peyton Manning and several other starters in the lineup for most of the game. The Jets won that game and then their season finale to qualify for the playoff and they have won 2 games since then and both were on the road. Last week they beat the San Diego Chargers holding their high scoring offense to only 14 points.
This week in the AFC title game the Jets will, once again, have to play great defense against Peyton Manning and a Colts' offense that can put up a lot of points. Sure, the Colts have the offense, but in their win last week over the Baltimore Ravens it was their D that won the game, as they only gave up 3 points while scoring 20.
This season the Colts are 7-1 at home and 9-6-1 ATS and the Jets are 5-3 on the road and 9-7 ATS.
The Jets' offense is led by rookie QB Mark Sanchez, but their strength is running the ball. Thomas Jones was the Jets' featured back this season, but in the playoffs rookie RB Shonn Greene has been awesome combining for 265 yards in the Jets; 2 wins. Greene and Jones have to play well in this game, as the Jets will not score a lot of points through the air. Sanchez is a solid game-managing QB, but he will not carry a team with his arm. The Colts have a solid defense and last week they held the Ravens, who also have a good rushing offense, to only 87 rushing yards. Indy forced the Ravens to 4 turnovers last week so Sanchez and the Jets' RB's have to hold onto the ball in this game.
The Colts are led by this season's MVP Peyton Manning, who played great in last week's win over Baltimore passing for 246 yards with 2 TD's. The Jets' secondary, which has really stepped it up in the playoffs, has to have good coverage against TE Dallas Clark and WR Reggie Wayne and not let these guys make the big play down field. Manning may have to do it all on offense in this game, as all season the Colts' rushing offense struggled and in last weeks' win Indianapolis only had 42 rushing yards. The Jets' front line D has to pressure Manning in this game and that is easier said than down, as the Colts' offensive line gave up the fewest sacks in the league this season.
Can the Jets pull off a 3rd straight upset to make it to the Super Bowl? To do it they will have to play great defense and have a solid game running the ball.
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