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NEW YORK – The Indianapolis Colts need to overcome a resurgent New York Jets team who spoiled their shot at a perfect regular season record less than a month ago if they are to advance to the Super Bowl in Miami on February 7.
Last month the Colts had home field advantage throughout the post season locked up and decided to rest starting quarterback Peyton Manning and a handful of other key players with a 15-10 lead late in the third quarter.
The Jets ultimately fought back for a 29-15 win and, with their win the following week against Cincinnati, qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Now the Colts have a chance to avenge their December loss to the Jets with much more at stake. A win for the Colts would put them back in the Super Bowl for the first time since their 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in 2007.
"Obviously, we have a fairly decent familiarity with the Jets because it hasn't been that long since we've seen them," Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters on Sunday, a day after his team trounced the Baltimore Ravens 20-3.
"Besides that, we practiced for them last week as well. Pretty thoroughly, I think."
The winners of next weekend's game book their ticket to the Super Bowl against one of the top two seeds from the NFC conference, the New Orleans Saints or Minnesota Vikings, where favored teams have won every game this post season.
A pair of surprise upsets on the road in the past two weeks against Cincinnati and San Diego mean the Jets head to their first AFC Championship game since the 1998 season in a matchup few could have predicted when the post season began.
"We're just fortunate to come out on top and we'll see what happens in the matchup that probably nobody wanted, but too bad. Here we come," New York Jets rookie coach Rex Ryan said after Sunday's game.
The Jets were mediocre for much of the regular season until they won five of their last six games ahead of the playoffs. With the two playoff victories, they have won seven of their last eight games and are the hottest team still standing.
Ryan has attracted attention this year for giving his players an itinerary for the post season that included the Super Bowl in Miami and a victory parade shortly after.
Last month the Colts had home field advantage throughout the post season locked up and decided to rest starting quarterback Peyton Manning and a handful of other key players with a 15-10 lead late in the third quarter.
The Jets ultimately fought back for a 29-15 win and, with their win the following week against Cincinnati, qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Now the Colts have a chance to avenge their December loss to the Jets with much more at stake. A win for the Colts would put them back in the Super Bowl for the first time since their 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in 2007.
"Obviously, we have a fairly decent familiarity with the Jets because it hasn't been that long since we've seen them," Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters on Sunday, a day after his team trounced the Baltimore Ravens 20-3.
"Besides that, we practiced for them last week as well. Pretty thoroughly, I think."
The winners of next weekend's game book their ticket to the Super Bowl against one of the top two seeds from the NFC conference, the New Orleans Saints or Minnesota Vikings, where favored teams have won every game this post season.
A pair of surprise upsets on the road in the past two weeks against Cincinnati and San Diego mean the Jets head to their first AFC Championship game since the 1998 season in a matchup few could have predicted when the post season began.
"We're just fortunate to come out on top and we'll see what happens in the matchup that probably nobody wanted, but too bad. Here we come," New York Jets rookie coach Rex Ryan said after Sunday's game.
The Jets were mediocre for much of the regular season until they won five of their last six games ahead of the playoffs. With the two playoff victories, they have won seven of their last eight games and are the hottest team still standing.
Ryan has attracted attention this year for giving his players an itinerary for the post season that included the Super Bowl in Miami and a victory parade shortly after.
