Monday, October 8, 2012

Week 5 AFC East game picks: Texans at Jets

Lead writer Nick St. Denis and AFC East Daily contributors Dan Begnoche, Sean Donovan and Sam Hollingsworth pick the New York Jets' Monday night home bout with the Houston Texans.

Nick's take:
The Jets will be missing their top-three pass-catchers against maybe the best defense in the NFL. So there's that. Plus, New York is banking on Antonio Cromartie to slow down Andre Johnson and will be without Sione Pouha in the middle of the defensive front, which will hurt the Jets' efforts to stop Arian Foster.
Prediction: Texans 27, Jets 13

Sean's take:
The Jets could not have played worse at home against the 49ers, but the good news is they won't play an elite team every week. The bad news is that they do this week, hosting an undefeated Texans team with very few weaknesses. The Jets' decimated offense again looks hapless in front of MetLife Stadium's frustrated crowd, this time on a primetime stage.
Prediction: Texans 31, Jets 6

Dan's take:
The Texans are holding teams to less than 300 total offensive yards on average, and New York's offense is depleted with injuries, including the loss of receiver Santonio Holmes. New York's usually strong run defense is currently near the bottom of the league and will struggle against Houston's hard-nosed rushing duo of Foster and Ben Tate.
Prediction: Texans 38, Jets 17

Sam's take:
Contrary to what many expect, the Jets aren't giving up the season already, and they have a chance to contend Monday. But they won't. Expect a close first half and a blowout in the second half.
Prediction: Houston Texans 40, New York Jets 14