Coming off of a difficult homestretch for the Jets, they look to bounce back today as they hit the road down Southwest to Houston to take on Tyrod Taylor and the 2-8 Texans. The Jets also coincidentally just traded away Marcus Maye to the Texans (even though he won't be starting or playing) in exchange for three draft picks. The biggest news of all in today's game is after all this long wait, Zach Wilson is set to return in this matchup and has been named the starting QB by HC Robert Saleh, but unfortunately, he will be without some key offensive pieces.
To follow up with today's injury report, the two biggest offensive pieces out of today's lineup are WR Corey Davis, who is listed as doubtful with a groin injury and RB Michael Carter, who picked up an ankle injury in last week's tough loss to the Dolphins at Metlife, so he will be out this week and for a few weeks to come as well. Five other starters are all listed as questionable today as well. Those five are DT Folorunso Fatukasi (Foot), DE John Franklin Myers (Hip), DE Shaq Lawson (Wrist), LB CJ Mosley (Shoulder), and DT Nathan Sheppard (Elbow). It would be safe to assume that at least one to two of these guys end up not being able to play come game time, since all 5 of those players were on limited practice schedules all week coming into this game. For the Texans, DE Jordan Jenkins is the only official starter listed as out today, with four of their starters also listed as questionable. Ultimately, today is an injury bug for both teams, and I wouldn't be surprised if it affects gameplay if these guys don't suit up.
 |
| Jets QB Zach Wilson returns as the starter after being out for 4 weeks |
In the past three weeks, WR Elijah Moore has combined for 269 yards receiving along with four TD's to back that up as well (Source ESPN.com). The Jet rookie WR is finally starting to have that offensive click since Zach Wilson's absence, but now, it is time to see these two play well together and for Moore to be a reliable target for Wilson going forward. Without Michael Carter today as well, RB Tevin Coleman is the listed starter for now, but I would highly anticipate him and RB Ty Johnson to split carries in relief of Carter's absence. Carter had been developing well in these past few weeks as well, so he will be greatly missed today. The Jets should look to attack throwing and taking their chances downfield against a mediocre Texans defense with guys like Elijah Moore and Keelan Cole. With the ariel threat those two players bring to the field, it would only be right today for Zach Wilson to come out taking chances right from the start to show that they mean business today. Former Jets LB Neville Hewitt will be starting for Houston today as well, so it will be nice to matchup against a former Jets starter today.
For a brief Texans preview, similarly to the Jets, they have struggled, and lack a lot of offensive firepower. QB Tyrod Taylor is a familiar foe back from his days as a starter in Buffalo with the Bills, and we know how capable he is with scrambling ability. Although he doesn't have the strongest arm, he can beat you with his legs, and the run game is essential to their offense with RB David Johnson being one of the featured offensive players. For receivers, WR Brandin Cooks is also a threat and the Jets should put their focus on his side of the field in the secondary. Cooks is a breakaway receiver with speed, and the Jets have had their struggles against receivers similar to him. With CB Brandon Echols placed on IR now, CB Isaiah Dunn will pick up his first start as a Jet today alongside CB Bryce Hall, who will most likely be responsible for managing Cooks' targets today.
 |
| Texans QB Tyrod Taylor is known for his quickness and his elusiveness, hence his nickname T-Mobile |
The Jets defensively need to be more disciplined, and blitzes from their defense are to be expected, so DC Jeff Ulbrich needs to switch up some third down play calls today at least in my opinion. It's too obvious lots of times when the Jets send blitz packages, and teams have been finding the soft spots and converting on third downs in recent weeks. The Jets have had their struggles getting off the field without surrendering points defensively, and in order to prevent this, a simple change in play calls and more uncalled-for plays might be necessary. Offensively, with Wilson back in the lineup, the answer is simple: Attack early. If they can come out of the gates with some firepower today, the Jets could very well see themselves victorious here.
For today's prediction, I see this being a pretty even matchup for the Jets, and an opportunity for the Jets to finally come away victorious on the road for the first time this season. With two struggling teams on deck for this matchup, I could see it leaning either way. However, I do see the Jets finally putting enough together to string a victory out. The current spread has Houston as -2.5, but being that it is so close, it is safe to say either team could win this game, and it is not heavily one sided. The post Thanksgiving magic will come into play and the Jets will be able to squeeze out a road win in Houston. I'll take the Jets winning this one by a close score of 20-17.
P.S: Sorry for the late posts, and I hope all Jets fans had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving this past Thursday
-Miles Chamberlain
Comments
Post a Comment