New York Jets @ New England Patriots: AFC Divisional Playoffs Sunday

Wow. After getting shellacked 45-3 by the Pats back in December at Gillette Stadium, the Rex Ryan-led New York Jets have opened their collective mouths so wide, you could drive either end of an anvil down their throats. Just what are they thinking? Bravado works only when you can back it up, and it seems a tall order for the 2nd year quarterback Mark Sanchez going up against all-world QB Tom Brady, he of multiple Super Bowl championships and league MVP awards. But who knows? That’s why they play the game.

But it still seems a tough task for the Jets, who face a team in New England that has everything going for it: the best record in football, the hottest quarterback, the best offence, the most decorated and innovative coach of the past decade (Bill Belichick).

New York Jets (12-5) @ New England Patriots (14-2)

AFC Divisional Playoffs Saturday: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This game IS going to be close. They always are, and this season, the Ravens lost all four games by a combined 16 points. The Ravens and the Steelers are mirror images of one another: both have tall, strong armed quarterbacks (Steelers have Roethlisberger and the Ravens have Flacco); both have all-world defences led by all-pro safeties (Steelers with Troy Polamalu and the Ravens with Ed Reed), both have strong running games, but the ability to go vertical with the passing game if needed. It’s scary how close these two teams are.

So in the final analysis, turnovers and one or two big plays are all that separates each of these teams from going to the AFC Championship game.

Baltimore Ravens (13-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

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