3 keys to a Jets win over the Texans on Thursday Night Football

The Jets have only scored three points on their opening drives this season through eight games. Against a team like the Texans, the Jets need to get off to a fast start at home. In Sunday’s loss to the Patriots, Gang Green’s offense looked unprepared and spent three timeouts in the first quarter. The team also took a delay of game penalty on a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. The Jets will have their hands full trying to slow down a Texans defense that’s second in the league in yards (280.3) allowed and third in sacks (27). Houston is also eighth in pressure rate.
The Jets averaged four yards per carry on Sunday. However, Gang Green strangely went away from the run in the second half. With Aaron Rodgers hobbled by injuries to his knee and hamstring, running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen must make a significant impact against a stout Texans defense. Houston’s defense is allowed 116 rushing yards per game, which is 13th in the league. However, during last weekend’s game against the Colts, the Texans allowed 163 yards on the ground. Indianapolis also averaged 6.3 yards per rushing attempt. The more the Jets can run the football, the less pressure will be on Rodgers and the passing game.
In last year’s 30-6 victory against the Texans, the Jets harassed QB C. J. Stroud and sacked him four times. He completed just 10-of-23 passes for 91 yards. He also left the game with a concussion in the fourth quarter. Gang Green’s defensive line must consistently pressure Stroud to force potential turnovers. Houston will be without WR Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. If the Jets can contain RB Joe Mixon, who is averaging 100.6 yards per game, that will give Quinnen Williams, Haason Reddick and Will McDonald more opportunities to force Stroud into third-and-long situations.