This Thursday night, an underwhelming New York Jets team takes on the walking medical tent that is the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football. While the Jets are reeling at a 2-6 record, Houston has been playing well, holding a 6-2 record despite their injuries on offense. Can the Jets perform a holiday miracle in their all-black uniforms? Or, will it be the attire for their own funeral as they see ghosts on Halloween?
New York Jets vs. Houston Texans Series History
The NY Jets and the Texans have only played each other 10 times since Houston played its first game in 2002. At the moment, the Jets lead the overall series with a 7-3 record. The most recent matchup occurred last season, where a Zach Wilson-led Jets team beat the Texans 30-6 at Metlife Stadium. This year, there’s some extra drama surrounding this matchup.
During the summer, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud appeared on a podcast and insinuated that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an overrated player, and a bad teammate.
“You know what I think it is,” started Stroud. “I’ve talked to Tom Brady, about this because he’s a good mentor to me … what he told me is his teammates, and how he treats his teammates. And that’s where I think it falls off [on Rodgers not having more team success in his career]. We don’t know how Aaron Rodgers treats his teammates, but you can guarantee that Tom Brady treats his teammates right because how he got those rings.”
While Rodgers had never publicly addressed those comments, there’s no chance they haven’t been addressed internally. The four-time NFL MVP doesn’t forget about past slights. And, it’ll be sure to add an extra chip on his shoulder, as he tries to save a failing Jets season.
Key Players for the Jets
The Jets have a lot of things going wrong for them. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t muster a victory against the Texans. Yet if they do, they will need to rely on these key players.
On offense, they key player here is Aaron Rodgers. The entire Jets offense has been hit or miss, from the line, to the receivers, as well as the running backs. However, the inconsistency of Rodgers needs to be addressed, and fixed if the team thinks they can win Thursday.
Sure, we can say that Rodgers has been “hurt”, and that it’s diminished his ability. However, the quarterback checks out of plays and neglects motion in the offense – so a lot of the team’s offensive struggles fall on his shoulders.
In a tough matchup against the Texans, the burden is on Rodgers to play well. The offense needs to be on the same page. And, Rodgers can’t commit the same mistakes he’s made early in the season thus far.
On defense, the key player for New York is Jamien Sherwood. This is another week where I believe Sherwood’s presence will be vital in a Jets’ victory. With C.J. Mosley out, Sherwood will once again play a major role on the Jets defense.
Not only will Sherwood have to perform well in run defense, but he must make sure the Jets are in the correct play call based on the Texans’ offensive look. Personally, Sherwood should be used in disguised coverages as a blitzer, to force Stroud to speed up his processing and either pressure or sack the Houston quarterback.
Key Players for the Texans
For the Texans, they can’t fall into the lull of facing a bad team playing in their home stadium. This is a prime trap game for Houston, and if they want to win, two players will be key.
On offense, the key player for the Texans will be running back Joe Mixon. With Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins missing this game, only Tank Dell will be the primary receiving option for Stroud. However, it’ll be easy for the Jets to clog passing lanes if Mixon can’t get going early.
Mixon has played incredibly well when healthy this season. In games where he’s had at least 10 carries, he’s always surpassed 100 scrimmage yards with a touchdown. On top of that, he’s good for multiple receptions per game. Mixon has the ability to take advantage of a horrific run defense, and set up Houston with an easy victory.
On defense, it may feel like a cop-out to select DE Will Anderson, but he has to potential to be a game-wrecking player for Houston. Anderson leads the Texans with 7.5 sacks, but he also has 11 tackles for loss this season.
The second-year player will be a challenge for the Jets offensive line. If he can break through and pressure Rodgers while stopping the Jets running game, New York will have a hard time winning this matchup.
Keys to Victory for the New York Jets
Everyone on the same page
A major problem for the Jets this season has been getting everyone on the same page. Whether it’s offense or defense, miscommunication has hindered New York greatly. Rodgers and his receivers need to be on the same page, the offensive line needs to know the cadence, and the defense needs to know their coverage responsibility. Otherwise, the Jets won’t win this game.
Make the kicks
Greg Zuerlein has been placed on injured reserve instead of being cut – likely to save him some embarrassment. The league-worst kicker has cost the Jets multiple games this season. While the Jets have brought in two kickers for Thursday’s matchups, they have to make the kicks for anything to matter. In what could be a close game, every point matters.
Turn accountability into proper execution
The Jets have been playing a blame game all year. Many players have refused to openly take responsibility for their poor play. As a result, the continued execution of the team has been poor. New York will need to prove the they’ve learned from their past mistakes. Whether it means seeing new players starting, other players getting opportunity, or seeing better execution – something needs to change. Otherwise, the “same old Jets” moniker will never go away. At least, not this season.
