NFL Wilcard Betting: New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts

[Betfair]

With five wins from five starts against the Jets during Rex Ryan's tenure at New York Peyton Manning has the stats on his side and he should make it victory no.6, says Andy Richmond

Match odds: New York Jets [2.26], Indianapolis [1.78]

Last year, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts advanced to the Super Bowl at the expense of Coach Rex Ryan and the upstart New York Jets. So Ryan and the Jets have a score to settle at Lucas Oil Stadium - and, this time, it's personal. This could be one of the best mano-a-manos in the wild card round as Manning bids to increase his win tally over Ryan.

Six times they've met, with Manning winning five and throwing 12 touchdown passes and two interceptions. The only loss? It was late last season, when the Colts pulled Manning and other starters in the second half of a game they led, so really we can chalk that up as a moral victory for Manning as well.

The Jets are still smarting from that AFC Championship Game loss last year, but while all the pundits are billing it as a re-match is it really? The Jets are limping into these playoffs, losing three of their past five, while the Colts scrambled to win their division with a four-game surge to close the season.

The Jets are a solid road team, winning 11 of their past 14 under Rex Ryan, but once again he has to face his nemesis - Peyton Manning. He shredded their secondary last year, and that was one reason the Jets went out and strengthened in that area - but NY are still vulnerable to the pass, and if you don't believe me, rewind the tape to their losses in New England and Chicago.

Ryan was ultra-confident a year ago but I don't detect the same swagger this time around and if the Jets couldn't beat them with a Number One ranked defence and running attack a year ago they will find life tougher this time. The Jets running game is still good but without being outstanding and with QB Mark Sanchez suffering from a sore shoulder - Manning clearly has an advantage here.

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NFL Wilcard Betting: New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts : Football : Betfair.net