The 9-4 Houston Texans have a chance to clinch the AFC South title in Week 15, provided that they beat the 4-9 New York Jets and both the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts lose their respective matches. NFL futures give them +750 odds to do so. Will the Texans hold their end of the bargain? Or will the Jets derail them? Going into the game the visiting team is favored by just over a touchdown, with the sportsbook giving the Texans 6.5-points in a win over the Jets.
The Texans lengthy nine-game win streak finally hit a brick wall last Sunday, when Deshaun Watson and company lost to the Indianapolis Colts at home, 24-21. There’s no shame in losing to the Colts, who have become among the serious Super Bowl contenders from the AFC – something that the New York Jets are not. In other words, the Texans should be able to capitalize on a gimme game this coming Sunday, as the Jets are one of the worst teams in the league today. The Texans’ defense is expected to find plenty of success in spoiling New York’s offense that is only 26th in the nation with an average of 26.8 points per game and 30th in total offense with only 296.4 total yards per contest. The Texans have the pair of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney to put relentless and consistent pressure for the Jets’ pass protection unit.
The Texans, who are 10th in the league in sacks (36.0) are 3-1 ATS in their last four road games.
Betting on the New York Jets (4-9)
Sam Darnold is the hope of the Jets, but he’s still not ready yet to lead the franchise. For now, there will be more face plants than celebration for the Jets. Nevertheless, the Jets must have liked what they saw from the rookie gunslinger in Sunday’s 27-23 win over the Buffalo Bills, his first game back after missing games with a foot injury. Against the Bills, Darnold went 16 of 24 for 170 passing yards and a touchdown with an interception. His only touchdown pass happened in the clutch, a lob to wide receiver Robby Anderson to tie the game at 20-20 in the fourth quarter. Darnold and Anderson may have to shoulder increased workload on offense in Week 15 if running back Isaiah Crowell will miss the meeting with Houston. Crowell, the Jets’ rushing yards leader, prematurely left Sunday’s contest with a foot injury. Elijah McGuire will be on standby in case Crowell gets ruled out for Week 15.
The over is 4-1 in the Jets’ last five games at home.
