2011 NFL Playoffs Predictions: New York Jets vs. New England Patriots

This divisional round is rivalry weekend for the AFC. Hated rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh will wage war Saturday before giving way to Sunday afternoon's grudgefest between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. This is the most interesting playoff matchup of coaches in quite some time. With wits, play-calling and steely glares, expect the two coaches to go toe-to-toe (after which Rex Ryan will be noticeably tumescent.) On to the picks!

New York Jets at New England Patriots (Sunday @ 4:30 p.m. EST, CBS)

Ryan's Pick: New England Patriots

A buddy of mine’s Facebook status over a recent weekend: “Sunday is God’s day, and Tom Brady is God. Thus, Sunday is Tom Brady’s day.”  Impeccable logic. There are no holes in this argument; it holds more water than the Hoover Dam.

In a league dominated by quarterback performance and dependent on a stout offensive line, the Patriots have a definitive leg up in each category.

For more than three quarters last weekend against the Colts, Mark Sanchez looked incapable of walking and chewing gum at the same time.  His throws were all over the place, most notably high.  ESPN’s Merril Hoge stated Thursday morning that Sanchez gets “too locked in” on certain receivers, i.e. his binky Santonio Holmes and becomes unable to process other viable options quick enough to have consistent NFL success.

Tom Brady, on the other hand, must have Terminator vision: he scans an opponent’s defense and pop-ups come across his sight line detailing who’s bringing pressure and where the open receivers will be when his five-step drop is completed.  He’s calculated, his work ethic is off the charts and his intensity hasn’t waned one bit all season.  And this isn’t really a determining factor, but he has won three Super Bowls and 28 consecutive starts at home.  Not important though.

New York is missing two Pro Bowlers (D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody) on their offensive line while New England got one of theirs (Logan Mankins) back midseason. That puts more pressure on Jets tackles and guards with less ability and experience.

How much Antonio Cromartie hates Brady and how many children he has fathered are compelling topics, but the Jets will be disposed of so New England-area pundits get one game closer to discussing what a fourth Super Bowl victory would do for the legacies of Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots franchise.

~ Ryan Thomas

Charlie's Pick: New York Jets

This pick doesn't look brilliant on paper, but not many people thought the the Jets had a chance of slowing down a hot Colts team at home. While Tom Brady in frigid New England is a significantly more daunting challenge than Peyton Manning in the cozy, temperature-controlled confines of Lucas Oil Field. But given Brady's choice in changing footwear for better traction Sunday, I'm betting the Jets can get a consistent pass rush going.

In all seriousness, the Jets can stay competitive—and win—using the same strategy that took New England down in Week 2. The game plan dictated winning the time of possession battle (32 minutes to 27 minutes), protecting Mark Sanchez (21-of-30 for 220 yards and 3 TD) and winning the battle at the line of scrimmage (Pats managed just 52 yards rushing). The Jets also outscored New England 18-0 after halftime.

New York, due to their excellent defensive backfield and consistent pass rush, are the only team that has a chance at slowing New England down. As long as the Week 2 Jets show up (28-14 W) and the Week 14 Jets stay in Manhattan (45-3 L), New York can absolutely win this game.

And the off-field topic of the week for this game is trash talk. Patriots fans are fired up about Cromartie calling Brady an a-hole, but let's call a spade a spade here: isn't any guy that wears Uggs kind of an a-hole? Also, what are the chances that Cromartie has children named Tom or Brady? 80 percent? Does he even know?

In any event, Cro is kind of a douche. But he did this to Peyton Manning in the playoffs and might well do it to Brady again. With or without a pick from their second best cornerback, the Jets will win if they control the pace and limit New England's time of possession. In the upset of the week, New York wins.