AFC Championship Preview: Indianapolis Colts v. New York Jets

You couldn’t write a better script for the AFC Championship game. Just four weeks ago the New York Jets played the Indianapolis Colts in what was basically an elimination game. The Colts has something to play for as well…….perfection!

The Colts management and coaching staff decided that resting their players over the last 2 weeks was more important that having an undefeated season. After getting out to a 15-10 lead early in the 3rd quarter, Indy sat all of their key starters on both offense and defense. New York capitalized on the opportunity, and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery on Indy’s very next possession. A.J. Feely connected on a 43 yard field goal, and Thomas Jones had a 1 yard TD run in the fourth quarter to finish off a 29-15 victory that kept the Jets in the playoff hunt.

New York followed up their upset victroy over Indy with a blowout win against a Cincinnati Bengals team that had already clinched home field in the first round, and was also resting their starters.

After impressive wins against Cincinnati and the San Diego Chargers in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs, the Jets will have a chance to make the Colts pay for giving them the opportunity to get in. Since that game against Indy, New York’s defense has allowed just 28 points over their last 3 games, and look to be getting more confident. Darrell Revis may get all the publicity, but the entire secondary has played well all season long.

Although Indianapolis looked great in their Divisional Playoff match-up against Baltimore, they will be feeling the pressure Sunday. The over-hanging criticism about not competing in their final 2 games, along with facing the team that they allowed to get to the playoffs, will be more than enough for the Colts to potentially lose focus. Peyton Manning is perhaps one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, but he will have to be prepared to counter all of the different looks that the Jets defense will show him. If anyone can be effective against the Jets “D” it’s Manning, but if he makes too many mistakes, it may make for a long day for the Colts defense.

Indy’s defense always seems to play better during the playoffs. Holding the Ravens to a field goal is impressive considering the solid running attack that they possess. They will be facing a very similar offense with the Jets as they have a run first approach. Thomas Jones and Shon Greene take much of the burden off the shoulders of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez has proven that he has the ability to make big throws when needed. It is almost a certainty that he will need to on Sunday.

Related posts:

1. AFC Wild Card Round Showdown: Jets @ Colts
2. Super Bowl XLIV Preview: Indianapolis Colts v. New Orleans Saints
3. AFC Divisional Playoff Preview: New York Jets v. San Diego Chargers
4. Cincinnati vs. New York Jets: NFL Playoff Preview
5. AFC Championship Showdown: Pittsburgh vs. New York

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