HOUSTON @ NY JETS (NYJ -1.5, 42.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
TEXANS @ JETS 10/31/24
It will be precisely six weeks since the New York Jets have won a football game when they take the field on Thursday night to face the Houston Texans. There hasn't been a lot of success during the Aaron Rodgers era. Rodgers and the Jets will take on the relentless Houston Texans in an attempt to end a five-game losing streak.
On its recent run, New York (2-6) has scored 17 points or less three times and is averaging just 16.6 points. The Jets season-high is 24 points, which they have reached in each of their two victories. New York frequently fails to make a crucial offensive play or settles for field goals (Greg Zuerlein is 9-for-15). With Rodgers throwing 12 touchdown passes against seven interceptions, the Jets are ranked 24th in total offense (3106.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring offense (18.8 points per game).
Last Sunday's loss to the host New England Patriots may be the peak of the Jets futility. The Patriots scored the winning points with 22 seconds remaining after driving 70 yards in 12 plays. Rodgers knows that the Jets must score touchdowns if they get into an opponent’s red zone. When the Jets' record fell to 2-3, they fired coach Robert Saleh. Under interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, they are 0–3.
Although Houston (6-2) is undoubtedly better, they were given bad news on Tuesday when it was revealed that wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday's 23–20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at home. This past offseason, the Texans added Diggs to their receiving corps by acquiring him from the Buffalo Bills.
Diggs was put on injured reserve on Tuesday. In eight games, he has a team-high 47 receptions, 496 yards, and three touchdowns. Due to a hamstring injury, Nico Collins, who has a team-high 567 receiving yards in just five games, is still out. Nevertheless, with four wins in its last five games, Houston enters Week 9 in a strong position.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has thrown 11 touchdown passes and only four interceptions this season.
With three consecutive 100-yard games, Texans running back Joe Mixon has proven to be a formidable force. In the last two games, he has carried the ball 25 times each.
Due to a groin injury, Houston running back Dameon Pierce was unable to practice Wednesday. Safety Jimmie Ward (groin), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), and offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (concussion) are all out on Sunday.
For the second consecutive game, New York will be without linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck), a five-time Pro Bowl selection. The Jets also lost defensive lineman Leki Fotu (knee), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), receiver Allen Lazard (chest), and safeties Ashtyn Davis (concussion) and Tony Adams (hamstring).
In addition, the Jets added fellow kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad and placed Zuerlein on injured reserve. To perform the kicking duties, Patterson or Shrader will be added to the active roster.
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Coach Rick Free PICK
FREE PICK: C.J. STROUD UNDER 224.5 PASSING YARDS
Stroud threw for 285 yards last week and he averages 243.5 passing yards per game. But, this week, he goes Under his Passing Yards prop. Stroud has struggled on the road this season and he goes up against a pretty good pass defense in the Jets. They rank No. 2 in passing yards allowed per game (161.1) as well as drop-back success rate. Stroud will also be without his top two receivers - Diggs and Collins. Stroud threw for 215 at Minnesota, 192 in New England, and just 86 yards at Green Bay. This prop opened at 242.5…almost a 20 yard drop. That’s telling us something.