Thursday Night Football Odds Week 9

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NFL Futures: Week 9 Thursday Night Football

Week 9 of the NFL season kicks off with an AFC showdown. The Houston Texans will travel to the Garden State to take on the New York Jets in a Thursday Night Football matchup. NFL Futures could be impacted by this clash as Houston looks to extend its lead in the AFC South while the Jets hope to reverse their season’s downward trajectory. Here’s an in-depth look at each team and a prediction for the game.

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Texans Focus on Strengthening Their AFC South Standings

Houston comes into this game on a roll, winning four of their last five games after a hard-fought 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans, now 6-2, hold a two-game lead over the Colts in the AFC South and have the tiebreaker advantage. 

Against Indianapolis, Houston trailed early but rallied to take a 17-10 lead at halftime and maintained control through the second half. They outgained the Colts 363-303 in total offense, dominated the clock with over 35 minutes of possession, and forced two turnovers while only committing one.

The Texans’ offense has been impressive, ranking 8th in passing offense with 232.5 yards per game and scoring 23.5 points per contest, placing them 14th in the league. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has shown poise, completing 177 of 276 passes for 1,948 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions, though he’s been sacked 22 times. The ground game has also been solid, led by Joe Mixon’s 503 rushing yards and five touchdowns. 

The Texans have felt the loss of Stefon Diggs, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, and will also be without Nico Collins, sidelined with a hamstring injury. Despite these setbacks, Stroud has several reliable targets, including Mixon in the passing game, Dalton Schultz, and Tank Dell, who has stepped up with 24 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns.

Houston’s defense has held its own, ranking 15th in scoring defense by allowing an average of 22.4 points per game. However, they will need to adjust on the fly, as they are dealing with injuries to key players, including Pierce, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and safety Jimmie Ward.

New York Hopes Home Advantage Ends Their Slide

The Jets enter this game on a five-game losing streak, sitting at 2-6 after a narrow 25-22 loss to the Patriots. New York led 13-7 at halftime and 16-14 after three quarters, but a back-and-forth final quarter saw the Patriots clinch the win with a last-minute touchdown drive. 

Although the Jets held a 336-247 edge in total offense, they struggled to capitalize and control the game when it mattered.

Offensively, the Jets have struggled to find the rhythm. New York ranks 13th in passing offense with 224.5 yards per game but sits near the bottom in rushing, ranking 30th with an average of 86.1 yards per contest. 

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has completed 175 of 284 passes for 1,896 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while being sacked 18 times. Breece Hall leads the rushing attack with 428 yards and three touchdowns on the season, but the Jets’ offense has been inconsistent. 

Garrett Wilson has been a standout with 51 catches for 573 yards and three scores, while Allen Lazard and Tyler Conklin provide secondary options.

The Jets have been better on defense, ranking 11th in scoring defense, allowing 21.3 points per game. They’ll need to lean on this unit heavily, especially with numerous injuries across the roster. The Jets’ injury report includes several key players, with Tony Adams, C.J. Mosley, and Alijah Vera-Tucker all missing practice time.

Prediction

This matchup presents challenges for both teams, particularly regarding injuries, but Houston’s ability to adjust offensively may give them the upper hand. With key targets like Collins and Diggs out, the Texans may lean more on their rushing game, which could work well against a Jets defense that allows 125.8 rushing yards per game. 

Meanwhile, New York’s offensive struggles and inability to finish close games make it difficult to back them confidently, even at home. Houston’s balanced offense, led by a steady C.J. Stroud, and their solid game management have made them tough to beat.

Expect the Texans to control the pace and find ways to exploit New York’s defensive gaps, earning a road win to kick off Week 9.

Prediction: Houston Texans +107