When Life Gives A Kellen, Make Some Clemen-ade

Welcome back to the show. On the last transmission, I predicted a Baltimore win over Green Bay on Monday night. To nobody's surprise, Green Bay dominated. Though the incorrect pick stung, it was evened out (and then some) by virtue of what this result meant to the Jets.

Because with that win, I can now say with 98% confidence that the Jets will make the playoffs if they win out. Sure, it's a long shot. But the prospect of winning out and needing help is infinitely bleaker. Gang Green's playoffs start this Sunday and lucky for them, their first matchup is against a team with a 1-11 record. But the football gods seemingly wanted to handicap the game, as Mark Sanchez will sit out with his knee injury.

So chapter 47 of the Kellen Clemens saga takes place Sunday in Tampa Bay. The first 46 were met with mixed reviews (to put it kindly.) The 4th-year quarterback from Oregon has shown good arm strength and has definitely gotten better since he first started out. In fact, if Sanchez actually stayed in for the rest of the Buffalo game last Thursday, fans wouldn't be all too terrified with Clemens starting a game.

But that's the problem. Sanchez came out of the game. Fans then watched in shock and awe as Clemens tried to hold the lead for the rest of the game. It was graphic. Understandably, the Jets ran the ball like there was no tomorrow. But when Clemens dropped back to pass, the fans' mindset went from "Ok, he's rusty" to "Ok, he was woefully unprepared to play in this game" to "Oh dear God Kellen you are murdering my soul." It culminated with a sack/fumble in which D'Brickashaw Ferguson pounced on the ball to save the game and the Jets' playoff hopes. Everything the Jets fans thought they knew about Clemens' developing skills was napalmed in front of their eyes last Thursday.

But a win is a win, and the past is the past. Since Rex Ryan and the staff were probably playing it safe, Clemens has been preparing to start this game since last Thursday. He has started games before, and knows what it takes to win. Keeping that in mind, all I can say is that 1) Thank goodness they're playing the Bucs and 2) There better be 6 different ice baths waiting for Thomas Jones after the game. He will be that sore.

We'll see all that drama unfold on Sunday. Along with the Jets must-win, here are some other rooting you'll find Jets nation doing on Sunday...Lions over Ravens; Panthers over Patriots; Dolphins over Jaguars; Colts over Broncos.

(As an equal opportunity blogger, here is a short synopsis for the Giants' aspirations. First off, if they lose to the Eagles they are not making the playoffs. They seemed to realize that same situation about one quarter into the Cowboys game. They are hoping that furious finish will carry over. Besides that, Big Blue would love to see the Saints finish off the Falcons; the Bears upset the Packers; and of course the Chargers over the Cowboys. All of these are completely reasonable.)

Enough about Sunday. Because the AFC playoff picture will take some more shape tonight. The Steelers, somehow 6-6 after losing at home to Oakland, will travel into Cleveland to play the lowly Browns. As if their 1-11 record didn't say enough, Cleveland's only victory came in a game is which they scored 6 points (talk about lockdown defense!) But the Browns can be feisty, and they will bring all they got tonight against their big rivals. If Pittsburgh polished off the Raiders as expected on Sunday, this would have trap written all over it. But the Steelers losing to Oakland and Cleveland over the span of five days? Save that storyline for the Twilight Zone. Cleveland squeaks out a cover (they are +9.5) in an entertaining game.
Steelers 20, Browns 14.

We'll see you on Sunday.