Jets 37 Bengals 0

The Cincinnati Bengals had already clinched a playoff berth and did not need to win tonight.

The New York Jets, on the other hand, had to win or they would go home.

Well, not only are the Jets not going home they are headed to Cincinnati next Saturday to play the Bengals in the first round of the AFC playoffs after demolishing the Bengals 37-0 at the Meadowlands. (It is worth noting that tonight was probably the Jets last game at the Meadowlands. The Jets and the New York Giants move into a new Meadowlands across the street next season.)

Even if the Bengals didn't have to win this game I don't think they had this humiliation in mind.

The Bengals couldn't catch a break. Late in the fourth quarter when it appeared the Jets had fallen short of a first down head coach Rex Ryan challenged the ruling, got it overturned and scored their final touchdown of the evening.

The Jets defense was unbelievable. They allowed the Bengals recorded no passing yards the entire evening. Bengals QB Carson Palmer went 1 for 11 with an interception. He gained no yardage. Journeyman back up QB J.T. O'Sullivan was little improvement. O'Sullivan went 3 for 8. Although he did advance the ball 31 yards he made two fumbles.

The Jets could be the dark horse of the NFL playoffs. On top of their dominance of the Bengals they also handed the Indianapolis Colts their first defeat last week. The Jets have to be confident of their chances against the Bengals even if they are playing in Cincinnati next week.

Could you imagine if the Jets face the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl? Of course, Brett Favre was the Jets QB last season and he could not lead them to the playoffs. If Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez outperformed Favre then it would be bigger than Joe Namath upending Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl III.