NFL Prediction: AFC Conference Final

The Colts host the Jets this weekend which is a clear sign that the AFC is no longer deep, nor is it very good. The conference final game will reflect that.

The Jets limped through the season with a missing limb known as "skill offense." Excellent line play (featuring P.G.'s MVP) combined with an aggressive defense infused with several key free agent additions were enough to win a surprisingly weak division and two no-shows in the playoffs. This will not be the case against the Colts.

I can't tell you anything about the Colts you don't already know, years of playoff coverage have covered that. And it is those years of playoff experience that will be the difference. The Colts have refined counter-attacks against the best defenses for the past decade, the Jets are yet to against a refined offense in the playoffs; facing a Bengals team that stocked up on pure runners that RBs couldn't handle the blitz and a Chargers team that relies on big play athleticism.

The scapegoat for the Jets will be Revis. In a league that sets DBs at a huge disadvantage, a defense that blitzes too much, and against tight end that will occupy the safety Revis has to face the best route runner in the league under a national spotlight.

Prediction:
Wayne: 3 TDS, Revis: 0 INTs

One thing I can give you to watch for this game: the amount of ground the Colts offensive line concedes on their runs. Most team's run offense looks like a brick wall, the Colts' looks like the Flying V of Mighty Ducks fame. I don't see that strategy helping the run game much, I suspect it does help the pass protection (as the defense has no read). After watching the Jets pass rush so closely over the last two games, will this "soft" run blocking noticeably affect the pass blocking? I'll look for double moves off play-action.