Jets set to feel Texans backlash
It could be a long old afternoon on Saturday for the New York Jets, as they could well feel a mighty backlash from the Houston Texans at the Metlife Stadium.
Texans response could be a painful watch
These two teams’ form could not be more contrasting going into this one, with the Texans going on a nine-game winning streak before a narrow 24-21 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts last time out.
Flip over to the Jets and they were on a miserable six-game losing streak, before winning their last outing 27-23 against the Buffalo Bills.
It’s best to ignore the last result for both these teams though and concentrate on their previous form.
The Texans and Jets are two franchises in very different stages of their development on the field and this should be a comfortable win for Houston, who are 1.92 with -6 on the spread.
High hopes turn sour for Redskins
It looked for a while like it was going to be the year for the Washington Redskins to claim the NFC East title but it has all gone wrong for the team from the capital.
A break of the tibia and fibula for quarterback Alex Smith has coincided with the downfall of the Redskins and allowed the Dallas Cowboys to leapfrog them into top spot.
Injuries in such a key position are hard to overcome and now former Jets QB Mark Sanchez is doing his best to fill the void.
However, a 40-16 defeat against the struggling New York Giants in Sanchez’s first game does not provide much hope for Washington, as they prepare to head to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
The Redskins are on a four-game losing streak after defeats to the Texans, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants.
Jacksonville are not fairing much better, but got a hard-fought win in their last game on home soil against the Colts and will be looking to back that up this weekend.
The Jaguars look good value at 1.88 with -7 on the spread, as they aim to inflict further damage on the diminishing Redskins.
Shaky Steelers desperate to stop the rot
Another team who look like they could also be on the verge of throwing their season away are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who prepare to host the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The Steelers still find themselves at the top of the AFC North but they won’t quite believe their luck, having lost three on the bounce to the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders.
Pittsburgh’s defence really needs to step up their game, after conceding an average of 27 points in their last three outings.
The last thing the Steelers defence will want to see is the NFL record-holder for touchdown passes Tom Brady, but that’s what they have got this weekend.
New England were burned by the ‘Miracle of Miami’ in their last game against the Dolphins, but they are more than capable of a response.
The Pats are 1.83 for the straight victory at Heinz Field to extend the Steelers’ torrid run and make Pittsburgh’s place at the top of the AFC North even more vulnerable.
