New York is being watched closely - AFC Wildcard Preview of New York Jets-Cincinnati Bengals

New York

With the opening round of the NFL playoffs just a few hours away, it's time to see which teams will persevere and which ones will make an early exit.

The first game on the docket pits the No. 5-seeded New York Jets (9-7) against the No. 4-ranked Cincinnati Bengals (10-6). Kickoff begins at 4:30 p.m. and the game will air on NBC.

Less than a week ago, the Bengals suffered a 37-0 thumping by the Jets at Giants Stadium in a must-win game to earn a postseason birth. While it was an ugly display put on by the Bengals, they had little to play for with one exception being for a chance to be the No. 3 seed if the New England Patriots lost against the Houston Texans.

Despite the Patriots dropping a close one to Houston, Cincinnati was unable to bolster much of an offensive attack against the Jets, and, as a result, the defense lingered on the field all night and couldn't stop running back Thomas Jones and company from putting points on the board.

Meanwhile, history was made based on the Jets winning that game as first-year quarterback Mark Sanchez and head coach Rex Ryan became the first rookie tandem to ever make it into the playoffs in their first season in their respective roles.

If the Jets are to advance to the second round, they'll have to do so playing on the road and in enemy territory with the Bengals securing a home game at Paul Brown Stadium after capturing the AFC North title this season. The Bengals are 0-1 lifetime at PB Stadium, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 thanks, in part, to Steelers Kimo von Oelhoffen knocking quarterback Carson Palmer out of the game when he drilled the former USC stud in the left knee.

But, even with Palmer (3,094 passing yards with 21 TD passes, 13 INTs) healthy, his go-to wideout Chad Ocho Cinco (72 catches, 1047 receiving yards, 9 TDs) may labor through the postseason after he slipped and fell during warmups last weekend, hurting a knee in the process.

The key to victory for the Bengals depends largely on if they can establish a strong running game with feature back Cedric Benson (1251 rushing yards, 6 TDs) against a Jets defensive front that's become susceptible to the run ever since New York lost run-stopper Kris Jenkins earlier in the year to injury.

As for the Jets, a steady dose of Jones (1,402 rushing yards, 14 TDs) against a beat-up Bengals defense will help alleviate the pressure put on Sanchez. If New York finds itself trailing early by a couple touchdowns, relying heavily on Sanchez's arm may spell trouble for the green-and-white.

Much like the stock market, Sanchez (53.8 percent completion rating, 2,444 passing yards) has been up-and-down this season not to mention turnover proven. He has three interceptions over his last three games and 12 touchdown passes versus 20 INTs on the year.

Omitting the flukey season-opening 12-7 loss to the Denver Broncos when receiver Brandon Stokely scored the game-winning TD off a tipped ball by the Bengals's secondary, Cincinnati only lost once at PB Stadium. On Oct. 18, the Texans beat the Bengals 28-17.

With more to play for today, coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals should put a more competitive product on the field and test the Jets unlike their first match last Sunday. However, Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and the New York defense are likely to keep the game close barring turnovers by its offensive unit.

Predictions:

If Benson tops 100 rushing yards, Bengals win 23-17.

If Sanchez has a turnover-free game, Jets win 24-23.