NY Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning Shuts Up Rex Ryan

Last year, the New York Jets made a surprising run in the playoffs, advancing to the AFC Championship game.

The improbable run ended at the hands of quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Now the Jets get a chance for redemption when the two teams meet in the first round of the AFC playoffs during Wildcard Weekend.

The oddsmakers believe this game will be close, as the latest odds as posted by Bet Phoenix have the Colts listed as 2.5 point favorites.

Jets' coach Rex Ryan is his usual boisterous self as he talks up his team as the best in the league, but Manning has had Ryan’s number in the past. Manning is 5-1 in his last six games against teams that Ryan coached.

The only game that a Ryan-coached team won against the Colts came when Manning only played a half of football as the Colts rested their players with a playoff spot clinched.

This time around, Manning will be on the field for the entire game, but his numbers have not been the same as in the past.

Manning threw 17 interceptions this season, one more than last season, while his passer rating was lower than it has been in some time. One of the reasons for the struggles has been injuries to the Colts' offense.

Manning lost many of his weapons, including pass catching tight end Dallas Clark. As the Colts rotated in new and inexperienced players, they had troubles adjusting.

Now, as the players get healthy and return to the lineup, the Jets are the next obstacle in their way.

The Jets started the season heavily hyped as a Super Bowl contender. They believe they have solved the issues they had last year against the Colts. They needed a compliment cornerback to work next to Darrelle Revis in the secondary.

The Jets hope that the offseason acquisition of Antonio Cromartie will put them over the edge and allow them to beat the Colts.

This is just another problem for Manning to solve and Cromartie, like many of the Jets' players, is overrated.

The Colts are 35-16-3 ATS in their last 54 games following a win and 18-7-2 ATS against teams with a winning record. The Jets are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games against teams with a winning home record and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games on turf.

The Jets are not as feared on defense as they have been in the past and Mark Sanchez will struggle against the Colts' pass rushing defense. Sanchez is the key to this game and can be easily flustered into making mistakes.

Rex Ryan loses to Manning again and the Jets get eliminated from the NFL postseason.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].

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