AFC Championship Preview; Fearless Forecast

On Sunday, the No. 1 seeded Indianapolis Colts will play the team that they gave an extra life to, the New York Jets. Let's rewind back to Week 16 of the NFL regular season. The Colts were 14-0 and just two wins away from a perfect regular season, while the Jets, at 7-7, were hoping for a playoff berth. Unfortunately for them, they would have to keep their season alive in Indianapolis. Fortunately for the Jets however, Colts coach Jim Caldwell decided to sit his starters and not risk injury for the playoffs. Jim Caldwell was Santa Clause for Jets coach Rex Ryan, as Ryan's Christmas wish was for Peyton Manning not to play the whole game. Consequently, Curtis Painter took over for Manning at quarterback, and the Colts lost 29-15, opening door for the Jets. The next week, the Jets shut out the Bengals 37-0 to earn a playoff berth, and a week later went into Cincinnati and beat them again, 24-14. 

Now here we are a month later in a rematch and the Colts must play the team they gave hope to. 

Game Preview:

How the Colts Can Win : By stopping the run, and Peyton Manning doing what he's done all season. 

How the Jets Can Win : By doing what got them here, and that's defense and controlling the game with the two-headed monster of Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene. 

Key Player for the Colts to Win : Peyton Manning

Key Player for the Jets to Win : Mark Sanchez

Colts X-Factor: Dallas Clark

Jets X-Factor: Shonn Greene

QB Advantage : Colts

RB Advantage : Jets

WR Advantage : Colts

Defense Advantage: Jets

Final Score:

24-17 Colts