It seems to be fate that the Jets and Colts would meet in the playoffs after Indianapolis basically rolled over for Gang Green to make the postseason. It’s a very intriguing matchup, as Indianapolis wants to prove that it would have beaten the Jets in the regular season if Jim Caldwell didn’t pull the starters with a 15-10 lead in the third quarter. A victory over New York would have moved the Colts to 15-0 on the season. Meanwhile, the Jets would obviously like to prove that the victory over the Colts was not a fluke, and that New York deserved to be in the playoffs.

New York surprised everyone (except for maybe Rex Ryan) by beating the Chargers this past Sunday. Now the Jets can advance to the Super Bowl by beating the Colts. But I don’t foresee Indianapolis making the same mistakes that the Chargers did. Even if Darrelle Revis shuts down Reggie Wayne (completely conceivable), Peyton Manning will have no problem spreading the ball around the field. The Jets will play the Colts close, as they will successfully slow down the game with their power running attack and stout defense. But after a tough battle, Manning will come through in the end, leading the Colts to a very close win and another Super Bowl appearance. Prediction: Colts 20, Jets 17.

-- STANLEY KAY

There are many reasons to pick the Jets to win Sunday. Their strength is pass defense, which should somewhat neutralize the greatness of Peyton Manning. Likewise, Rex Ryan’s blitzing schemes should slow up the Colts' high-flying attack. On the other side of the ball, Gang Green can gash you on the ground, a concern for an inconsistent Indy defense. Lastly and probably most convincingly, teams who are playing like the Jets are now just seem to win in the playoffs. There’s something about momentum in January, which seems to cancel out talent.

With all this being said, the Colts will win for one reason, Mark Sanchez. Don’t compare Sanchez to Trent Dilfer in 2000 or Joe Flacco last year. Those two weren’t game breakers, but they were capable of making more than one or two nice throws a game. The Colts aren’t burnouts like the Bengals or choke artists like the Chargers. They’ve been here before and they’re very talented. The Jets have had a nice run but it comes to an end Sunday. Prediction: Colts 27, Jets 17.

-- TOMMY ALTER.