NFL Record: Best Bets 8-6-1, Regular Picks 20-17-1 (Updated Jan 7)

Most weeks we provide our NFL best bet of the week and an additional two to three picks that we believe offer some betting value. Last season our top play crushed the book with an incredible 15 point spread covers from 21 selections. Good for a 71.4 winning percent. While it will be difficult to improve on that record, we'll do our best to help our readers in their quest of a profitable football handicapping season.

The Jets earned their way into the playoffs with a 37-0 beat down of the Bengals to close out the history of Giants Stadium last Sunday night.

New York ranked 1st in rushing this season and gouged Cincinnati for 257 yards last week. The Bengals played without DT Domata Peko and DE Robert Geathers but that alone can't account for the ease that the Jets O-line dominated the line of scrimmage. RB Thomas Jones leads the way for the Jets but rookie RB Shonn Greene gets lots of carries as well. WR Brad Smith ran for 92 yards on only four carries last week and gives the offense another dimension as he was a college QB. The Bengals entered last week as the No.2 run defense in the NFL but have allowed 100+ rushing yards in three of their last four games. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez has been mistake-prone this season (20 picks, 3 lost fumbles) and is only being asked to make some safe throws and not try to force the action. The Bengals pass rush has sagged since DE Antwan Odom was injured and his eight sacks still led the team although he played less than half the season.

The Bengals mustered 72 total yards last week and 0 passing yards. That's a huge cause for concern as QB Carson Palmer was only 1-11 for 0 yards and played into the 3rd quarter. Palmer had a decent season but Cincinnati's ground game is the offense's calling card. RB Cedric Benson didn't play last week but he'll be ready for this contest. The Jets ranked 1st in pass defense in '09 and having a shutdown CB like Darrelle Revis means the 3-4 can concentrate on stopping Benson. WR Chad Ochocinco hurt his knee in warm-ups last week and was held without a catch for the first time in 120 games. The Jets had only 32 sacks this season but they are able to get good pressure and to force quick throws. The Bengals O-line surrendered only 29 sacks this year but yielded three last week. New York also led the league in scoring defense.

While last Sunday's game isn't a total indicator of what to expect this week, it certainly gave the Bengals cause for concern. They were thoroughly dominated in the trenches and were very listless. The Jets are very confident and they feed off the energy of HC Rex Ryan. Look for New York to control both lines of scrimmage and for their ground game to be the difference.

Additional Pro Football Picks

• Ravens +3.5
• /Packers/Cardinals Under 47.5