The New York Jets will hope to add a win to their record in 2024 in Week 9. The team will face the Houston Texans at home.
As usual, it will never be a walk in the park in the NFL. If the Jets (2-6) expect to beat the Texans (6-2), there will be a few key things New York will have to focus on against Houston.
It will have to be a full-team effort, make no mistake. But these factors could weigh heavy on whether or not New York leave with a win or loss.
Here are three keys to the Jets pulling out a victory against the Texans:
Stop the run
The Texans were already set to be without Nico Collins (hamstring). Then it was announced that Stefon Diggs will not play against this entire season due to a knee injury.
Houston quarterback CJ Stroud is low on weapons. That might mean a larger emphasis on running the ball. The Jets need to stop Texans running back Joe Mixon. Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and New York’s linebackers will play a big part in this department.
Turnover battle
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not turn the ball over in New England last week… and the Jets still lost. Even without a few star players on offense, Houston is a much better opponent. New York cannot give the Texans extra opportunities.
Get a kicker (seriously)
Speaking of that loss last week… it was by three. Greg Zuerlein missed a kick and an extra point. If those go between the uprights? It might have been a win.
Since then, Zuerlein has been placed on injured reserve and it seemed like he was going to be demoted anyway since two kickers, Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader, were signed to the practice squad. One of them will be called up prior to kickoff and whoever it is has to convert chances.
