The New York Jets are coming off a loss and the Houston Texans are coming off a win, but that didn't sway the experts from picking the Jets -- even with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick playing a week after surgery on his non-throwing hand.
Jets vs. Texans 2015 picks and predictions: Houston is big underdog at home
The Texans aren’t favored to win despite upsetting an undefeated Bengals team Monday.
Despite starting the season strong, the Jets' run game has slowed and has created offensive difficulties along the way. Running back Chris Ivory was sensational the first few games, averaging more than 5 yards per carry. The team's only loss in its first five games was when Ivory was out against Philadelphia. He was injured again in Week 7, however, and was limited for three games afterward. In Ivory's absence, Zac Stacy hasn't stepped up, Bilal Powell has been out since a Week 6 injury, and Stevan Ridley was activated against the Bills but recorded minus-1 yard on three attempts.
Without the rush attack, the Jets have relied on the passing game and a quarterback who defaulted into the starting position. Fitzpatrick has amassed just under 2,000 passing yards this season on 169 completions for 15 touchdowns. He’s proven he’s able to score, but hasn’t always made the best decisions with the ball, recording nine interceptions and two fumbles.
With a loss last week to former head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets' playoff chances took a hit, but the Texans are still in the hunt. Houston beat up Cincinnati Monday night to take a share of first place in the AFC South, giving much needed confidence to a struggling defense. The team has limited its last two opponents to just six points apiece.
The Texans' defense might be hitting its stride, but the offense is just as questionable as it was in Week 1. After enough back and forth, head coach Bill O'Brien decided to stick with Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback. His decision was moot by the third quarter last Monday when Hoyer was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
Backup quarterback T.J. Yates was able to step in and secure the win with a late-game touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins, and with Hoyer still not cleared, Yates is likely to start against the Jets. The offense has succeeded whenever Hopkins has a good game, so whoever is under center needs to focus on incorporating the wideout more often.
Despite a win over the formerly undefeated Bengals, the experts aren't giving the Texans much credit. At CBS Sports, the road team is favored by a 6-2 margin. Here at SB Nation, all but one of our experts agree that the Jets come away with the win.
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