Everything is falling in place for the Jets

TOMORROW

JETS (9-7) at BENGALS (10-6)

Line: Bengals by 2½ Over/Under: 34

TV-Radio: Ch. 4, WABC (770), ESPN (1050), 4:30 p.m.

At 7-7, my old pal Joe the Jets fan, like Rex Ryan, thought it was over. Hope and faith burn anew: "During the fourth quarter Sunday I fell asleep on the couch . . . peacefully. A night in an alternate universe where prayers aren't crushed like a roach - they are answered." After 40 seasons of anguish, is it payback from the gridiron gods? First the Jets beat two teams that didn't care, and now they get a very favorable first-round matchup. The Bengals also feature tough defense and the run, but the Jets are better at both. Cincy has been sluggish since peaking at 9-3.

The pick: Jets

EAGLES (11-5) at COWBOYS (11-5)

Line: Cowboys by 4 Over/Under: 45

TV-Radio: Ch. 4, WFAN (660), 8 p.m.

Even after three straight wins and back-to-back shutouts, the pressure is still on Wade Phillips. A loss here and he's probably gone. Can the 'Boys end that 13-year playoff oh-fer by beating Philly a third time? Logic says yes, and the Steelers went 3-0 against the Ravens last season. The Eagles (0-4, no covers vs. playoff teams) have an injury-depleted offensive line, which the Cowboys' pass rush can exploit again. Maybe it's finally time for Dallas to make a deep postseason run.

The pick: Cowboys

SUNDAY

RAVENS (9-7) at PATRIOTS (10-6)

Line: Patriots by 3½ O/U: 43

TV-Radio: Ch. 5, WFAN (660), 1 p.m.

The Patriots weren't going to the Super Bowl even with Wes Welker, and his injury guarantees they won't get past the second round. "You can't replace him," Tom Brady said. For one game, the Pats will be able to compensate. The Ravens' defense isn't what it used to be, especially at the corners, and Joe Flacco is slumping. The Patriots are 8-0 (five covers) at home. Baltimore is weak on the road (3-5 ATS) and against playoff teams (1-6, 2-5 ATS). The pick: Patriots

PACKERS (11-5) at CARDINALS (10-6)

Line: Cardinals by 1

O/U: 471/2 4:15 p.m.

TV-Radio: Ch. 5, WFAN (660), 4:15 p.m.

Last week I saw a pass broken up and the receiver didn't beg for a flag. No, I must have been hallucinating. Toss out Sunday's rout, but I still like Green Bay in the rematch. The Pack is 7-1 since fixing the pass protection for the excellent Aaron Rodgers. The Cards haven't looked good since ambushing the Vikings in Week 13. WR Anquan Boldin and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are hurting, and Arizona won't rediscover the magic dust it used last January. The pick: Packers