(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans go to MetLife Stadium favored by 3.5 points over the Jets, who have a five-game losing streak in which their quarterback-challenged offense has scored two touchdowns. Overall, the Jets average 14.3 points a game.
The Jets have controversy surrounding quarterback Zach Wilson because The Athletic reported this week he was reluctant to return to the lineup because of injury considerations that could dampen his offseason when he's expected to be released and looking for another team. Coach Robert Saleh denied it. Wilson denied it. Now Wilson is back in the lineup knowing if he doesn't play well the fans will turn on him in a hurry.
The Texans are 7-5 in their first season under DeMeco Ryans. They've won four of their last five games, thanks to C.J. Stroud's outstanding rookie season. They're tied with the Colts for second place in the AFC South, one game behind the Jaguars. They're 5-3 in their last eight games, none decided by more than seven points and all decided in the last 30 seconds.
Is this situation ripe for an upset? It's possible. At kickoff, there's an 80-percent chance of rain with a 20-mile-per-hour wind and temperature in the low sixties. Wind and rain can be a great equalizer. It's going to be a huge test for Ryans and his players.
The Jets have a terrific defense that has 31 sacks, including three players with at least six. It should be close – because all Texans' games are – and probably won't be settled until the last half-minute.
The last time the Texans played on the road, they beat Cincinnati on a field goal with no time left. The last time they lost on the road, Carolina defeated them on a field goal with no time remaining.
Here are five things to watch as the Texans continue their preparations for the Jets.
The Texans barely beat the Broncos even though they didn't commit a turnover and forced three, including Jimmie Ward's end zone interception to secure the victory. They need another turnover-free game. The Jets' pass rushers will work hard to force strip-sacks, and C.J. Stroud can't be careless when he's got the ball in his hands. Pocket awareness is so important.
The Jets have three splendid pass rushers – Jermaine Johnson, Quinton Jefferson and Bryce Huff – and each has six sacks. An they're not even the most dangerous lineman.
That distinction would belong to tackle Quinnen Williams, one of the best in the league at his position. He's a disrupter. Whether Stroud is trying to avoid the rush or preparing to pass, he has to be extra careful with the ball. Turning it over and possibly shortening the field could have disastrous results for the Texans.
Rookie Tank Dell leads the Texans with seven touchdowns. He's out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured fibula. When Dell was injured against the Broncos, his absence didn't slow down Nico Collins, who joined Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller as the only players in team history to have at least 190 yards receiving in a game.
Collins, who has 59 catches for 991 yards and six touchdowns, could see cornerback Sauce Gardner covering him, or he could draw double coverage. He'll be Public Enemy No. 1 when the Jets are trying to show down C.J. Stroud's passing game.
Noah Brown and Robert Woods, both of whom were shut out against Denver, need to bounce back to help take up the slack for the loss of Dell. John Metchie III is another receiver Stroud may utilize. The important thing is that Stroud has a lot of options, including backup tight end Brevin Jordan, who's coming off the best game of his career.
The woefully inconsistent running game has become a huge disappointment again. In back-to-back games, the Texans averaged almost 150 yards rushing, and Devin Singletary did most of the damage. In the last two games, they've averaged 90.
The Broncos came to Houston last in rushing, and the Texans were limited to 89 yards, including 3 a carry. It was another embarrassing performance.
The Texans are 24th in rushing (97.9). The Jets are tied for 28th against the run (136.1). This is the second consecutive game in which the Texans should have a productive running game to take some pressure off C.J. Stroud, but the way the offensive line has been blocking, it's obvious to everyone the running game is out of sync. Expect more of the same on Sunday.
The Texans need to get all over Zach Wilson like they did Russell Wilson. Led by Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr., the Texans sacked Russell Wilson three times and intercepted him three times.
Anderson had two of the sacks in the best game of his rookie season. Stingley had two of the interceptions in the best game of his career.
They're big-time players making big-time plays, and the defense needs to frustrate Wilson and force turnovers, especially if they can shorten the field for the offense.
Imagine the fan reaction if – early in the game -- Anderson gets a strip sack or Stingley another interception or they get both. The boos will rain down on the Jets' quarterback.
Expect Wilson to spend a lot of time running out of desperation, whether he's forced out of the pocket or can't find a receiver. He'll try to rely on a lot of quick passes to offset the rush by Anderson and Jonathan Greenard, who can't lose containment when he takes off.
Because the Texans have been so good against the run, ranking ninth (97 yards a game), they should be able to put Zach Wilson in obvious passing situations and tee off on him against an injury-plagued offensive line that's been mostly horrendous. Injuries up front have resulted in a lack of stability and a lot of different line combinations – sound familiar, Texans' fans – and it's contributed to the overall ineptitude of the offense.
The Jets' leading rusher, Breece Hall, started the season with a bang but has become more of a receiver than runner with at least five catches in three consecutive games.
During their last eight games that have been decided in the last 30 seconds, the Texans have given up 87.3 yards a game rushing. In their last three games, that statistic has increased to 107, but that's because of quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson more than the Cardinals and Broncos leading rushers.
The Texans have done well containing the running backs, but Murray and Wilson have put a dent in the run defense. Wilson has 199 yards rushing. If the defense contains Hall (585 yards), expect Wilson to try to do what the Cardinals and Broncos did with their quarterbacks.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday, Thursday and Sunday on Texans Radio, also on SportsRadio 610. He writes five columns a week and does three Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.
