NFL WEEK 14 MATCHUPS
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: CBS
Spread (BetMGM):
Texans by 6.5
Texans’ keys to victory: Score a few points. It sounds silly, but just look at how the Jets have flailed on offense lately. They have two touchdowns in almost 50 possessions and they’re likely starting their fourth quarterback this season in Trevor Siemian. With the way the Texans can get after the quarterback, whomever is the Jets QB could be running around just like Tim Boyle and Siemian did in Week 13 against the Falcons (who had four sacks).
Jets’ keys to victory: Sure, we can rehash the same old “the defense needs to clamp down” but the defense has been clamping down for weeks and the offense can’t score points. One suggestion for the Jets is to start giving potential playmaker Israel Abanikanda some more looks in the run game. The Jets need to change up something.
Matchup to watch: Texans DE Will Anderson vs. Jets OT Mekhi Becton. The Jets haven’t done a very good job of keeping their quarterbacks upright this season and now they face one of the best young pass rushers in Anderson. Becton, or whichever tackle he goes up against on a given play, will have his hands full. The Jets don’t have mobile QBs, so any cracks from the line could spell disaster.
Who wins? There’s no way you can feel good about the Jets, who are coming off an eight-point scoring effort against the Falcons. It feels like the Jets might lose the rest of their games. Houston can score points at will. The Jets can’t hang with anyone with a strong offense.
Texans, 27-10