After an inspiring comeback win in last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills, the New York Jets (4-9) host the Houston Texans (9-4) on Saturday looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since October.
The Jets ended a six-game losing streak with a 27-23 in Buffalo, while the Texans lost to the Indianapolis Colts 24-21 at NRG Stadium and are now looking to go back to their winning ways.
The Texans had won nine games in a row prior to losing to the Colts and even though that streak is gone they’re now looking to win their fifth road game in a row.
To do that the Texans will have to start by cutting back on the number of sacks allowed as they’re the second-most sacked team in the league right now behind only the Dallas Cowboys. Just last week they allowed five sacks, and although DeShaun Watson has some of the blame for holding on to the ball too long the truth is the offensive line has been doing a poor job of protecting him.
The fact that they managed to win nine games in a row with such a poor quarterback protection is outstanding and it makes you wonder where this team could be if it had a half-decent offensive line.
If the Texans offensive line finds a way to protect Watson he should have a field day against a Jets pass defense that ranks 30th in the league allowing 190.61 yards per game.
The Jets are clearly the less talented team on both sides of the ball this week so they won’t stand a chance if their defense doesn’t start to turn the ball over and making game-changing plays.
Houston’s ground attack, which ranks fourth in the NFL with 136.8 yards per game, should be able to exploit New York’s 27th ranked run defense, which has allowed a league-worst 183 yards per contest over the last four games. Look for running back Lamar Miller to have a good performance on Sunday, with Watson also making solid contributions with his legs.
This affair should end with the Texans on top as quarterback Sam Darnold and the rest of the Jets offense will have a hard time scoring on a team that allows 19.92 points per game, which ranks fourth in the NFL; and has the league’s fourth-best run defense, holding teams to 88.15 rushing yards per game.
Now that there is no more football on Thursday night, this is the first of two weeks that will feature Saturday games. The Jets and Texans game is the first of a doubleheader on Saturday, with the Cleveland Browns taking on the Denver Broncos at Mile High in the second one.
In week 16 there will be two more games: The Washington Redskins travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans and the Baltimore Ravens visit the Los Angeles Chargers.
Prediction: Texans 27 – Jets 17
