#6 New York Jets (11-5) vs. #3 Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
Saturday, 7 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium (NBC)

Unlike last year’s AFC championship game when these two teams met, neither team is the overall leader in their division this year. Colts QB Peyton Manning and his team faced struggles throughout the season and almost missed the playoffs. Manning, however, remains the leading passer in the NFL.

Second year Jets QB Mark Sánchez has improved from his rookie season. The key question is whether the Jets defense can stop Manning. That defense was the reason the team cruised through the playoffs last year and was one game shy of the Super Bowl.

On paper, the Colts should win this game but this is the NFL and anything can happen. If the Jets want to win they will need to constantly pressure Manning. If the game turns into a high scoring game, the Colts will walk away with the victory and play Pittsburgh in the divisional round.

Prediction: Colts edge the Jets out


#5. Baltimore (12-4) vs. #4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Sunday, noon at Arrowhead Stadium (CBS)

The Chiefs are looking to make some noise in their first appearance in the post-season since 2006. This team is definitely the dark horse of the playoffs.

Few picked the Chiefs to win the AFC West at the beginning of the season. Now that they are at the big dance, they will have their hands full with the Baltimore Ravens, no strangers to the playoffs.

Largely because of the Ravens’ strong defense, led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis, the Chiefs come into the game as underdogs despite being the home team. The key to victory for the Chiefs is to establish the ...