2011 AFC Championship Predictions

Tuesday, 18 January 2011 00:49

Written by Glen Bloomberg

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2011 AFC Championship Predictions - Jets Win Shocker over Patriots 45-3? How about 28-21? The New York Jets (13-5) exorcised a whole bunch of demons while winning an improbable game on the road against the New England Patriots (14-3) to advance to the AFC championship game for the second consecutive game. AFC Championship N.Y. Jets +3.5 underdogs over Pittsburgh.

During the week leading-up to the game, head coach Rex Ryan said this game between himself and the Patriots coach Bill Belicheck was “personal” just as he had made the match-up the prior week against Peyton Manning and the Colts “personal.” The trash talking worked as a strong Jets pass rush sacked the usually infallible Tom Brady five times and kept him out of rhythm for most of the game.

On the flip side, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has had his share of struggles this season, was sharp, throwing for three touchdowns, none bigger than a 7-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone to Santonio Holmes to match a Patriots’ touchdown that had cut the lead to 14-11. Holmes’ stretched high for the ball and tapped his toes to stay in-bounds, reminiscent of his game-winning to win Super Bowl XVIII for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brady and his boys could never recover and now it is on to Pittsburgh to face Holmes’ old mates in the AFC Conference Championship game. Who will Ryan target this week? Art Rooney? Mike Tomlin? Maybe he can pick on the guy who heads-up the grounds crew. Whatever happens, the Jets will bring a boat load of bravado and a ton of confidence against a team they defeated less than a month ago.

For now, though, New York can bask in the glory of 28-21. 45-3? Forget about it! AFC Championship Predictions make a early bet this week on Pittsburgh Steelers.