By BOB MATTHEWS
Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle

The New York Jets could be this NFL season's version of last year's New England Patriots, who got hot at the right time and won Super Bowl XXXVI.

Indianapolis finished the regular season with a better record than the Jets (10-6 to 9-7) but the Jets are favored by 6 points in Saturday's AFC wild-card game because they are playing their best football of the season, are arguably the healthiest team in the playoffs and will be playing at home.

Colts star running back Edgerrin James hasn't been 100 percent all season and the loss of injured Qadry Ismail will permit the Jets to pay extra attention to record-smashing receiver Marvin Harrison.

The Jets have been one of the NFL's most dangerous teams since Chad Pennington replaced Vinny Testaverde at quarterback five weeks into the season. He has a batch of talented receivers and running back Curtis Martin is back in top form after a slow start due to injury.

Indianapolis has the advantage on paper defensively but the Jets have played at least as well the second half of the season.

The teams traded road wins last season (Colts 45-24 and Jets 29-28) and Indianapolis leads the series, 38-26.

The Colts are 6-10 against the Las Vegas point spread (ATS) this season and the Jets are 9-6-1, including 6-1 in the last seven games.

This week's "Best Bet": NEW YORK JETS 27, Indianapolis 13.

Saturday's other game (home team in CAPS)

GREEN BAY 20, Atlanta 17 - The Packers are 8-0 at home this season and don't lose playoff games at home but the 6.5-point spot is too generous considering Green Bay's long injury list for this NFC wild-card game.

Green Bay leads the series 12-10 but the Falcons played the Packers tough in the last two meetings, both at Lambeau Field: 23-20 in 2001 and 37-34 in overtime Week 1 this season.

Atlanta is 4-3-1 on the road this season and 10-6 ATS. Green Bay is 8-8 ATS.

Sunday's games

PITTSBURGH 24, Cleveland 10 - The Steelers are favored by 8 points despite two narrow victories against the AFC North rival Browns this season: 16-13 in overtime as 6-point favorites at home Week 4 and 23-20 as 3-point favorites in Cleveland Week 9.

But Pittsburgh is healthier than it has been all season while Cleveland will be without franchise quarterback Tim Couch, who broke his arm last week. Replacement Kelly Holcomb figures to be feeling the heat all afternoon.

The Browns were considerably better on the road (6-2) than at home (3-5) this season and a profitable 10-5-1 ATS. The Steelers were 5-2-1 at home, 5-9-2 ATS, 6-0 vs. the NFC North and 4-5-1 vs. the rest of the NFL. Pittsburgh has won the last five meetings.

New York Giants 20, SAN FRANCISCO 17 - The 3.5-point favored 49ers probably have more overall talent but it has been a long time since they dominated an opponent. The Giants are on a roll and playing with exceptional energy and confidence.

San Francisco has won the last five meetings, including 16-13 as 3.5-point favorites in Giants Stadium to kick off this season, and leads the series, 16-14. The 49ers are 5-3 at home and a scary 5-11 ATS, including 0-8 in the last eight games. Monday night's fourth-quarter collapse in St. Louis was another bad omen.

The Giants were 5-3 at home and away this season and 9-7 ATS. New York ranked higher in total offense and total defense.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

13-3 picking winning teams outright (159-96-1 for the regular season); 11-5 picking winning teams against the spread (126-124-6 for the regular season); the "Best Bet" is 9-8 after New England beat Miami 27-24 in overtime in a pick game.

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