For Jets and Ravens, A Chance to Take Control

Since 2008, the Jets, Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers have been some of the primary powers in the AFC. In each of the last three seasons, all four teams have had winning records. Though they have been successful, the Jets and Ravens have not been able to overtake their division rivals. Neither team has won a division title and neither team has beaten their biggest foe when it mattered most.

This weekend will be the first time since the 1978 wildcard playoff format came into fruition that both divisional matchups will be between two teams in the same division. A double dose of round three---what could be better?

There is no shortage of storylines going into the Jets-Patriots third meeting of the season. Though the teams split the season series, the 45-3 beatdown of the Jets at the hands of Tom Brady and company is fresh in everyone's mind. Since Rex Ryan became coach of the Jets in January of 2009, the New York-New England rivalry has reached new heights. Rex's Jets have gone 23-13 (including the postseason) over the last two years while Belichick's Patriots have gone 24-9 (including postseason.) The all time series between the teams is deadlocked at 51-51-1. After Sunday, one team will not only be ahead in the all time standings, they will be one game away from the Super Bowl.

The rest of the NFL has grown to hate the Jets since Rex Ryan took over the reigns. Between the arrogant trash talking, Hard Knocks, Sal Alosi etc. the Jets have become the modern day version of the 1970's Oakland Raiders. The Jets have made it possible to actually root for the Patriots in this back and forth contest between the northeast rivals. Over the last decade, the Patriots have been the Evil Empire. After the Jets shenanigans over the last two years, New England suddenly appears to be a band of choir boys and Tom Brady has turned into Rocky.

In terms of the game itself, everyone has the same prediction. The Patriots are heavy favorites and rightfully so. They have the best coach in the game with the best quarterback in the game. They are also the overwhelming Super Bowl favorite (6-5 odds in Las Vegas.) The Jets 28-14 week two victory over New England seems like years ago. The Jets are going to need to play a flawless game in order to beat the Patriots. Though the Jets have won three of the last five meetings, none have come in as big a spot as this Sunday. Either the obnoxious Jets will be send home with their tails between their legs or the AFC East will undergo a radical changing of the guard with gang green at the forefront.

While the Jets and Patriots prepare for their showdown on Saturday night, western Pennsylvania will be watching the Ravens and Steelers battle it out in the rubber match between the hated AFC North foes. For the second time in the last three seasons, the Ravens and Steelers will meet in the playoffs.

For all the successes of the Joe Flacco-John Harbaugh era, one glaring obstacle remains---knocking off Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though the teams have split the season series in each of the last two seasons, Roethlisberger did not play in either Raven victory. In other words, Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh are 0-5 against the Roethlisberger led Steelers.

In all of those five loses, the Steelers have always seemed to make the big play in the game's biggest moment (Big Ben's touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the final seconds of the Steelers win in Baltimore during the 2008 seasons, Polamalu's pick six to seal the win in the AFC Champ, Polamalu's strip sack that led to the winning touchdown this year in Baltimore.) It will be up to Flacco and the Raven's defense to ensure that they don't let the Steelers get the better of them again. Whether it be Anquan Boldin, Ray Rice, Ray Lewis, or Ed Reed, someone is going to have to step up in order to get this rivalry on more equal footing.

The Ravens have plenty of experience in winning playoff games on the road (seven road playoff wins since 2000, most in the NFL.) In last week's 30-7 win over Kansas City, Joe Flacco finally stepped up and played well (1 TD 6 Ints, 48% completion percentage, 132 ypg in his previous five playoff games.) If Flacco can keep that success going against arguably the league's best defense, the Ravens will have a great chance to win.

On defense, guys like Josh Wilson, Ladarius Webb, and Cory Redding have played well. Factor in that the Ravens still have the core four (Lewis, Ngata, Suggs, Reed) and the defense is as good as ever. The defense forced Matt Cassell into three interceptions last week after he threw only seven all season. Since John Harbaugh took over in 2008, the Ravens defense has allowed only 14 points per game in six playoff games.

The Ravens task of going into Pittsburgh is not nearly as daunting as the Jets going into New England. The Steelers are only 5-3 at home this season and one of those losses came to Baltimore in week four. Though the Ravens have failed to win the AFC North in each of the last three seasons, they can achieve a sense of ownership of the division with a win this Saturday.

Over the last decade the Patriots, Steelers, and Colts have dominated the AFC. The three teams have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl in eight of the last nine years. While their division foes were playing in championship games and winning Super Bowls, the Jets and Ravens were left largely unfulfilled, still waiting to knock off the bully. In week 13, both teams failed to win their respective prime time game that would of given them sole possession of first place in their division. However, this weekend offers another chance to win---another chance to take control.