Photo Courtesy: Rick Leal
Game Info
New York Jets vs. Houston Texans
Sunday – November 22 – 12:00 pm CT
TV: CBS
NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
The Houston Texans will welcome the New York Jets into NRG Stadium at high noon on Sunday and try to keep their heads above water in the AFC South race. The 4-5 Texans will have to try for their fifth victory without starting quarterback Brian Hoyer who is out with a concussion suffered in last week’s game.
Filling in under center for Hoyer will be former Texans quarterback T.J. Yates. Picked up off of waivers after the team cut backup Ryan Mallet, Yates will be making his first start since the 2011 playoffs.
The 5-4 Jets defense may present a challenge for the Texans offense. Ranked #4 in overall defense, the Jets are the league’s best at rushing yards a game, giving up only 88.1 per game. Passing against any secondary that has Darrelle Revis in it is always a task for any quarterback. The All Pro veteran returned to the team which drafted him and has helped the pass defense tremendously.
Yates will need DeAndre Hopkins, the league’s leading receiver, beating some of the expected one on one coverage against Revis. Hopkins missed two days of practice this week with a sore knee. He does expect to be at 100% on Sunday. Alfred Blue and the rest of the runners that the Texans use must find away to keep the chains moving. Only averaging 3.3 yards per attempt, getting positive runs early in downs will help prevent the 3rd and longs, which will play into the hands of the Jets defense.
The Texans defense has been playing up to potential as of late. It welcomes back 2014 #1 overall pick Jadaveon Clowney who missed last week’s game with a back injury. The defense has not allowed a touchdown in 2 1/2 games. All Pro defensive end J.J. Watt has led the charge all season. Watt enters Sunday’s game with 9.5 sacks. Whitney Mercilus has played exceptionally well of late, recording 4 of his 6.5 total sacks in the last three games.
Prediction: Jets 24 – Texans 21
