AFC Wild Card Predictions

Wild Card: No. 6 New York Jets (11-5) @ No. 3 Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

The Jets come into the post season losing three of there last five games. A big win on Sunday against the Bills, while resting many of there offensive and defensive starters, should give them a boost of confidence. The Jets strong points this season have been there defense and run game, both of those being key in deep playoff runs. They ranked fourth in the league in rush yards per game, at 148.4 per contest. The Jets D ranks third in rushing yards allowed to opponents, at 90.9 per contest, and sixth in passing yards allowed to opponents, at 200.6 per contest.

The problem that the Jets face with the matchup with the Colts is there passing game. Mark Sanchez has been very inconsistent this season, and despite Indy's struggles on defense, if Sanchez makes too many mistakes, he will pay. The Jets average 202.6 pass yards per game, which is good for 22nd in the NFL. Sanchez will feel the pressure of Freeny and Mathis coming off the edge all game long, and I think the Colts D will have a field day on Sanchez.

Key to Jets victory: Tomlinson and Greene must combine for at least 160 rushing yards and two TD's. The Jets D must also create at least two turnovers.

The Colts defensive struggles have been closely documented all season long, Bob Sanders got hurt once again, and the rest of the unit is very susceptible against the run game and big pass plays. Indy's run D is 25th in the league, allowing 127 yards per game, and there pass D is a mediocre 13th in the NFL, allowing 214.6 yards per game.

One advantage the Colts do have is Peyton Manning. When Manning is on the field there is always hope for an Indy victory. Although we have seen more bad games from Peyton than we are accustomed to, it can be partially blamed on him having to play with a different cast of characters nearly every game. Wide Receiver's Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon have been in and out of the lineup all season, and Tight End Dallas Clark has missed nearly the entire season. The Colts are first in passing yards, but rank 29th in rushing yards at 92.7 per game.

Indy's running game is never one of the best, but in order to beat the Jets, they must establish the run to open the pass game. With Addai back healthy, he provides much needed help in that area.

Key to Colts victory: Addai and Donald Brown must rush for 120 yards combined and a TD. Manning must also throw for at least 280 yards and two TD's

Prediction: Colts over Jets - 27-21

No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (12-4) @ No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

Baltimore enters the playoffs on a four game win streak, and everyone knows that momentum going into the post season usually translates to success. QB Joe Flacco has played solid football this season, and RB Ray Rice is a big play threat both running and catching the ball. The Ravens receiver's, however, have been very inconsistent. Anquan Boldin has had a couple huge games this season, but, it has been more likely for him to not show up. Derrick Mason has been the most consistent Wide Out for Baltimore, but at 36 years of age, there is fear of a breakdown.

The Ravens D has not been as dominant this year as it has been in the past, but they do have great players on that defensive unit, that can create major problems for the Chiefs. Guys like Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Dawan Landry have big play capabilities that can change the complexion of a game. They're gonna need to be on their game too, because Jamaal Charles is no joke.

Key to Ravens victory: Limit Jamaal Charles production and it should be a cake walk.

The Chiefs limp into the playoffs on the heels of a 31-10 blasting at the hands of the Raiders. Matt Cassel has had a great season, and Jamaal Charles has exploded as one of the best rushers in the NFL. Kansas City comes brings the top ranked rushing attack at 164.2 yards per game, and it will be put to the test against the Ravens fifth ranked rush defense. Dwayne Bowe has emerged as a good receiver, and Matt Cassel's favorite target. Bowe will need to have a huge game to take pressure off of Charles. Look for TE Tony Moeaki to get a lot of targets, as most of the attention will be payed to Bowe.

The Chiefs D is young, but they have some very good pieces in place, especially the coordinator, Romeo Crennel. Fifth year LB Tamba Hali has 14.5 sacks this season, rookie DB Eric Berry has had a great season, and LB Derrick Johnson has 121 tackles on the season. KC's D will have to have a huge game to help this team to victory.

Key to Chiefs victory: Charles needs to reach pay dirt two times, Cassel cannot turn the ball over, and there can be no big plays given to Ray Rice, make the Ravens receivers beat you.

Prediction: Ravens over Chiefs - 24-17

AFC South Preview and Predictions

1. Indianapolis Colts - 13-3
You can always count on the Colts to have one of the best offenses in the league, and they may have the best in 2010. Peyton Manning is getting better with age, and he has a full stable of thoroughbred receives to throw to: Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez will all get a ton of targets this season. If there is any question mark in the Colts offense, it lies upon the shoulders of RB Joseph Addai. Addai made a splash in his first two years as a Colt, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. In his third and fourth seasons, however, Addai has failed to break 1,000 yards, mostly due to a reduction in the amount of carries he was given.
The Colts defense is good, but it's never at full strength. Defensive Back Bob Sanders is usually the one who is injured, but if it's not him, it's Dwight Freeny or Robert Mathis. The Colts defense comes in at full strength to start the 2010 season, and if they can remain injury free, look for them to be one of the best defenses in the NFL.

2. Tennessee Titans - 12-4
The Vince Young resurgence will be tested for a full season in 2010, luckily, he has the best running back in the league to help him. Chris Johnson had a monster 2009 campaign, which led to a contract dispute at the beginning of training camp. The Titans brass worked out a new deal with Johnson, and he is set to try and build upon the greatness he achieved last season. The wide receivers are a big problem for the Titans, Nate Washington, Justin Gage, and Kenny Britt have never been go to receivers, and one of them is gonna have to step and take that role.
I like the Titans defense a lot, Middle Linebacker Stephen Tulloch is primed for another huge season, and veteran Linebacker Will Witherspoon was signed in the offseason to bring some stability and leadership on defense. The biggest strength for the Titans defense is their Defensjve Backs, Cortland Finnegan, Michael Griffin and Chris Hope combined for 9 interceptions last season, and Jason McCourty will play his first full season as a starting Cornerback.
The key to the Titans success will be Vince Young. Can he keep it together for an entire season and lead the Titans deep into the playoffs? It should be fun to watch

3. Houston Texans - 8-8
There is no question about how good the Texans offense is, Matt Schaub is now an elite NFL Quarterback, Andre Johnson is arguably the best Wide Recievers in the league. After a lackluster 2009 season from Steve Slaton, Houston has turned over the starting RB job to second year man out of The University of Tennessee, Arian Foster. Foster is a big, bruising back who has underrated speed and agility, Foster is also a good receiver out of the back field. Matt Schaub needs a secondary option to throw to, and that will be deep threat WR Kevin Walter. Walter was injured for most of last season, and didn't get to make much of an impact, but look for him to get a lot of deep targets this season.
The Texans have some good pieces on defense, but it's not one that will outright win you games. Mario Williams, Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans, and Kareem Jackson are all elite NFL defenders at their positions, but there are too many holes to consider Houston's defensive squad an elite one.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars - 5-11
Maurice Jones-Drew is easily considered as one of the top three RB's in the NFL, and rightfully so. In 2009, MJD rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and reached pay dirt 15 times. Look for MJD to build on those stats in 2010. Quarterback David Garrard is one of the most accurate passers in the league, but he is not one that can beat you with his arm. The receiving core is lead by 2009 breakout Mike Sims-Walker. Last season, MSW lead the Jags in receptions (63), receiving yards (869), and receiving TD's (7) on limited time. Jacksonville doesn't have much to offer for Garrard at the WR position past Mike Sims-Walker, so look for them to try and address that with some sort of trade this season.
The Jags defense is definitely not going to help win games. It's sort of a rag tag bunch of guys, but they made some progress by signing Defensive End Aaron Kampman away from Green Bay and Linebacker Kirk Morrisson away from Oakland.