The early feature was the closer of the two, but Cincinnati’s complete ineptness on offense highlighted what the Jets entire regular season often looked like – stellar play on the defensive side of the ball, stifling wide receivers and pressuring quarterbacks early and often. Cedric Benson had  a nice game against the vaunted Jets front seven, but the Bengals fell behind early and were forced to jack balls up as time continued to run.

Carson Palmer was a shadow of the player he once was. Completely rattled in the pocket, Palmer let most of his throws way too early, sailing balls over open receivers. His happy feet was due in part to Rex Ryan’s incredible blitz schemes, as the Bengals zone-blocking scheme simply couldn’t match up. The Jets parlayed the Bengals struggles on offense into a winning gameplan when they had the ball, utilizing a power run game and well timed playactions to keep Cincinnati on their heels.

The Dallas Cowboys, another team that has received its fair share of criticism for their lack of performance in the postseason, made a statement with their throttling of the Philadelphia Eagles. Tony Romo wasn’t phased by Philadelphia’s pass rush, and the platoon of running backs sent out by Wade Phillips battered an uninspired Eagles front.

Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Donovan McNabb played pretty poorly, under fire for most of the night. Dallas had him doing back-flips in the pocket to avoid sacks, and the once heralded deep routes of the Eagles pass system never had any time to develop. Eagles fans grow restless often, and you have to wonder whether or not McNabb will finally fall out of favor with a city that was never truly enamored with his play in the first place.

Both Dallas and New York fit the billing for teams that have lived up to recent postseason success, as they run the ball at alarmingly strong rates and play stellar defense. While the Jets lines for next week haven’t been released, the Cowboys are a three point underdog heading into Minnesota, a team that made a statement with its week 17 stomping of the New York Giants.

As for tomorrow, two pivotal games are on deck, as Baltimore travels to New England for the early game on CBS(1:00 PM EST), with the Patriots having a slight edge according to Vegas(-4). This is the only game of the four on wild card weekend I don’t have a thought either way about, although I will say there is fantastic value getting four points with a feisty Ravens squad. Wes Welker’s injury was a big blow in terms of talent, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Julian Edelman will be able to step in and perform capably.

The later game(4:00 PM EST) on FOX is the feature of NFL cinderellas – two teams that everyone wants to love, but has to make sure the slipper truly fits. Green Bay is undeniable the hottest team not named San Diego, and statistically should have had a much better record than the 11-5 one they put together this year. Arizona on the other hand is their usually enigmatic self, and it’s almost impossible to gauge how the Cardinals will hit the field come tomorrow. I’m all over the Cardinals(+2.5) because I’m buying into last years run, and experience tends to go a long way in measuring postseason success. Anquan Boldin will play the game injured like he has all season “give it a go” according to Adam Schefter, and shutdown corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is back healthy.

While the OGOchoCinco has been a terror on the field, he’s been up to his usual antics off the field, including his usual weekly call out comments of opposing cornerbacks. What people fail to realize is that Ochocinco is an absolute marketing genius – he’s once again effectively turned the attention of all football fans onto the week 17 match-up featuring the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, with the playoffs on the line for Gang Green.

If the play on the field isn’t good enough for you, how about some classic fireworks from Oregon State’s finest? Ochocinco’s sent some guided missiles in the direction of Revis Island, and we’re anxiously waiting for a response from the man many claim to be the best in the business at what he does.

• @revis24-technique is awesome-good patience at the line-bump n run stab and stay high on the recievers allows easy pass breakups,
• @revis24-where you at son, when I finish with you you’ll be wearing 42, great hips, feet and transition on film-
• Just left the stadium wathing film on @revis24<–this motha—– is good as f%$K!! Excuse my french but I can’t wait till sunday
• @revis24–I’m coming to the big apple to give NY what they’ve never seen, an escape inmate gone wild on Revis Island,WAMW try and cover me!

Ochocinco’s got nothing but respect for Darrelle’s game, but he’s more confident than ever in his abilities and the players around him.  The only way Chad could’ve outdone himself with those tweets is dropping a Rex Ryan dyslexia bomb after the 24 to 42 tweet.

With both teams having everything in the world to play for, fans across the nation will tune in to see whether Ochocinco enjoys his stay on Revis Island, or has his bags packed and sent home early by #24.

The last of Chris Henry?

Wide Receiver Chris Henry’s life is in serious jeopardy after an alleged domestic dispute with his fiance. There is speculation that Henry could be floating in and out of lucidity and approaching the pearly gates, but we’ll let that play itself out.

According to Sporting News, police found Henry’s body in the road with extremely serious injuries sustained to his entire body.  Police have categorized this as a traffic accident, as early reports have an enraged Henry diving through his fiance’s car after she left her house in a hurry. Henry was so enraged that his wife was leaving the alleged argument that he dove into the back of the truck, and eventually his body was thrown from the vehicle about a half mile from the house.

Henry’s entire career has been defined by these off the field issues, most notably the concealed weapon charges he was hit with after pulling a heater on a group of people. Marijuana charges and the supplying of alcohol have also plagued Henry’s NFL career, a player whose outstanding on the field talent has failed to overcome his personal issues.

Well, that didn’t take long. Recently waived tailback Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs has already found a new home in Cincinnati.

Adam Schefter is reporting that the Bungles turned Bengals are expected to sign Larry Johnson(Last Seen Throwing the Roc Sign), who will play second fiddle to Cedric Benson. Bernard Scott is the backup on the Bengals team, who has shown flashes of explosiveness but can’t deliver the bruising style of run Larry brings to the table.

It should be noted that the Bengals were able to turn Cedric Benson from menace to society into all world running back, as he’s averaging almost 100 ypg on the ground in the revamped Bengals attack. It’s a little surprising that Marvin Lewis would take a gamble on a running back whose ‘go to guy’ years seem a distant memory – Herm Edwards ran the wheels off LJ years ago, but Lewis and the front office are expecting a second wind from the once Pro Bowl talent  running back.

Cedric Benson’s injury in Sunday’s game must be more troubling than once thought. He was pulled in the second quarter with pain in his hip, and a big signing of a troubled running back can only signal the Bengals are worried about the new developments in the backfield.