Jets-Bengals NFL Playoff Odds, Picks, Predictions

Sports betting fans are rejoicing – the NFL playoffs have arrived and this year's outstanding parity among the contenders should make for a very interesting final 12. First up, the Jets and Bengals replay their matchup from last week. New York massacred Cincinnati last week but the stakes change for the Wildcard playoff. The action shifts to Cincy and the Bengals won't rest any starters. Can the Jets still compete?

Jets vs Bengals

Saturday, January 9, 4:30 p.m. ET

NFL odds favorite: Bengals -2.5

Are they real or not? The Jets are an enigma. On one hand, Rex Ryan has worked wonders for the defense. The Jets lead the NFL in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. They also boast the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack. They have the NFL's top shutdown corner in Darrelle Revis and the AFC's second-ranked rusher in Thomas Jones. In short, there's plenty to like about Gang Green.

But there are plenty of red flags, too. The first is Mark Sanchez. "The Sanchize" flashed brilliance early in the season – when he played in balmy temperatures that mimicked his Southern California college days. When the temperature dropped, however, Sanchez struggled. He threw 13 of his 20 interceptions and just four of his 12 touchdown passes in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Can we trust the rookie playing a road game in cold weather? It's also worth nothing that the Jets' two "courageous" wins to sneak into the playoffs came against teams that had already clinched division titles and chose to rest their starters in the second half. That means it's tough to know if the Jets are actually any good.

We know what we get with the Bengals – a decent team that does everything "pretty well." They've got two great corners, an every-down back in Cedric Benson, an outstanding run defense and a solid pass rush. Carson Palmer has to be better than he was in brief duty last week, when he went 1/11 for zero yards. At home, he should be; he threw 12 touchdown passes versus six picks at Paul Brown Stadium this season.

The Jets have a great "D" and rushing attack but so do the Bengals. Go with the home team and the more experienced quarterback. Pick Cincy.

Free pick: Bengals -2.5