NFL

NY Jets vs Houston Texans predictions: Our expert picks for NFL Week 9 Thursday night game

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3 weeks ago

October 30, 2024

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NY Jets vs Houston Texans predictions: Our expert picks for NFL Week 9 Thursday night game

Week 9 of the NFL season begins at MetLife Stadium with the Jets (2-6) hosting the Texans (6-2) in primetime on Halloween this Thursday night.

Needing a win to desperately keep their season alive last weekend, the Jets faltered yet again, moving their losing to five games after a huge 25-22 letdown loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8.

Now Aaron Rodgers and Co. find themselves in the basement of the AFC East, needing to win nearly ever single game down the stretch to have any shot of ending the longest playoff drought of the four North American professional sports leagues (13 seasons).

Despite Houston winning, 23-20, over the Colts last Sunday, it came with a cost.

It’s been confirmed that Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8, ultimately ending his first season with the organization. The four-time Pro Bowler is set to become a free agent in 2025.

Houston will now be without two of its top wide receivers (Diggs and Nico Collins) on a short week traveling on the road to East Rutherford.

Our prognosticators throughout the season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Steve Edelson (columnist, APP.com), Vince Mercogliano (Rangers/NHL columnist, lohud.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com), and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).

Here are our staff standings going into Week 9:

Bert Bainbridge: 6-2

Bob Jordan: 5-3

Vincent Mercogliano and Steve Edelson: 4-3

Dave Rivera and Brian Marron: 4-4

Chris Iseman: 3-4

Art Stapleton: 3-5

Will the Jets flip the script and give the fans the treats (wins) it’s been waiting for, or will it be more of the same tricks (losses) that have seen the franchise go from Super Bowl hopefuls to contending for a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?

Here are our staff predictions for Jets vs. Texans to kick off Week 9 on Thursday night:

Bert Bainbridge

The pick: Texans 21, Jets 17

Here’s why: The Texans are no doubt clearly the better team here and have an extreme advantage in the kicking game with place-kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, one of the best in the game, compared to the Jets’ Greg Zuerlein, if New York doesn’t decide to make a change at the position on the short week. Despite being extremely thin in the wide receiver room, Houston will do enough on both sides of the ball to come out with the victory in a low scoring game on the road at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night.

Art Stapleton

The pick: Texans 23, Jets 20

Here’s why: This one was heck of a lot more glamorous in the preseason. Aaron Rodgers had everything set up for a poetic win with that pass to Davante Adams in Foxboro to set up the go-ahead score in the waning moments, but then disaster happened and the Patriots escaped with the upset. C.J. Stroud is going to test Gang Green, but he won’t have two of his top weapons (Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, out for the season with an ACL). At this point, the Jets have yet to make the plays when it counts.

Vincent Mercogliano

The pick: Texans 27, Jets 20

Here’s why: I said last week I was done picking the Jets for a while if they lost to the Patriots…

Steve Edelson

The pick: Texans 21, Jets 10

Here’s why: Aaron Rodgers simply doesn’t look good enough to pull the Jets out of a nosedive. They’ve already fired their head coach and the descent is picking up speed.

Chris Iseman

The pick: Texans 28, Jets 14

Here’s why: The Jets’ loss to the Patriots just showed how much of a dumpster fire they currently are. They have no leadership. They’re poorly coached. This season is off the rails. Why would that change against the Texans?

Bob Jordan

The pick: Jets 21, Texans 14

Here’s why: The Jets are a two-point favorite. That’s absurd. But – always follow the money.

Brian Marron

The pick: Texans 24, Jets 20

Here’s why: Houston should be able to run the ball effectively with Joe Mixon, who has over 100 yards on the ground in four of his five games this season. If they’re able to do so and control the ball, C.J. Stroud should be able to make enough plays for a win over a flailing Jets team.

Dave Rivera

The pick: Texans 20, Jets 17

Here’s why: C.J. Stroud has a bright future in the NFL, and Aaron Rodgers is on his way out. Tough to the pick the Jets here, even at home, with the way they performed last week against the Patriots.

BetMGM is the premier destination for sportsbook odds throughout the year.

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