Cincinnati Bengals vs New York Jets Wild Card Preview

A misnomer surrounding the NFL Playoffs is that momentum is essential in surmounting a run to the Super Bowl. As the Arizona Cardinals showcased in 2009, staggering into the postseason doesn’t necessarily correlate with an early exit. The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping this bodes true as the team limps into their matchup with the New York Jets. And “limps” is generous.

December was not kind to the Who-Deys, compiling a 1-3 record, with the lone win coming against the hapless 4-12 Kansas City Chiefs (a victory that did not come easy AND was at home, no less). The KC game, combined with two embarrassing showings at Minnesota and New York, has begot anxiety and apprehension in Bengaldom about Saturday. The solitary cause for hope came in defeat when the heavy-hearted Bengals, on the field just days after teammate Chris Henry perished, put up a valiant effort in San Diego, losing by a FG in the closing seconds.

Yet as previously mentioned, backing into the playoffs should not equate to panic. As countless of critics have pointed out, the Bengals did sit 3 defensive starters in New York, as well as giving rest to workhorse Cedric Benson. One can only speculate the offensive gameplan against the Jets from Sunday, but for those who have watched Cincinnati this season, the play calls seemed uninspired and bland compared to Bob Bratkowski’s usual strategy. And although they proclaimed that victory was their mindset in the Meadowlands, staying healthy seemed to be the chief concern on many players’ minds.

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Which brings us to Saturday’s battle. On paper, the teams appear to be indistinguishable: nasty, hard-hitting defenses that like to control the clock with the running game. Putting aside Sunday’s debacle, the Bengals have two distinct advantages in their corner. The first is home-field advantage; the second is Mark Sanchez. The Jets QB comes into Cincinnati supporting a ghastly 12-20 TD/INT comparison, to go along with 10 fumbles (3 lost). There’s also the old adage about the historical shortcomings of rookie signal callers in the postseason. Considering his 1st campaign in the league was anything but stellar, Mike Zimmer will be licking his lips if the Jets fall into a hole early and Sanchez is faced with a 3rd and long.

Make no mistake about it: the Bengals can win this ballgame. The x-factor will be Carson Palmer waking up the anemic offense from its 2-month slumber. Marvin Lewis is only half-right when he states that the key to victory is running the ball. But to manage the ground game successfully, the threat of an aerial assault needs to be present, and frankly, that component has been M.I.A. Palmer should be itching to hit the field Saturday afternoon, since his last playoff appearance was shortened to two plays thanks to hitman, er, defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen. Since arriving in Cincinnati, the word “promise” has always been used to describe Palmer’s potential. Last week, Palmer turned 30. Starting Sunday, it’s time that “promise” starts to come to fruition.

Will it be easy? Doubtful. Will it be pretty? Probably uglier than those wretched Broncos’ throwbacks. But the Bengals have the weapons in their arsenal to get the job done. All season long, we’ve heard how this team is a well-oiled machine built for January. Saturday will be January 9.

Time to rev the engines.

By: Joel Beall
Cincinnati Bengals Correspondent