NFL Betting: No problem for Houston in Monday Night Football

Romilly Evans
08 October 2012

Jets coach Rex Ryan

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Romilly Evans confidently expects the Houston Texans to continue their winning run against the beleaguered Jets in MNF

"Matt Schaub has a beautifully balanced line at his disposal, securely anchored to the bedrock running of Adrian Foster"

They're already calling this a make-or-break season in the Big Apple for Rex Ryan and his offensive poster boy, Mark Sanchez. The New York Jets quarter-back has enjoyed the continued support of his coach during his fourth season in the league, but Ryan's faith appears unjustified so far. Jets fans are even clamouring for the introduction of Ted Tebow for heaven's sake. So make no mistake, even at 2-2 in a tight division, the pressure is on the home side as they entertain the undefeated Houston Texans in Monday Night Football.

Rex Ryan, who is still to post a losing campaign in the NFL (his worst seasonal figures to date are 8-8), probably doesn't this deserve this do-or-die status. However, he is a polarising coach who has suddenly found himself open to criticism from all four corners after last week's humiliating 34-0 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. After all, drawing a blank - even against the fearsome Niners D - has an uncanny knack of unifying critical opinion.

Sanchez is the man who has been patently falling short on the field, though. He barely threw for 100 yards last Sunday and has connected with under 50 percent of his passes in three successive matches for the first time in his career. He should surely have matured into his role by now. Instead, he's being outperformed by rookies with a quarter-back rating which probes the depths of 30th. To make matters worse, Sanchez is now without the considerable services of Santonio Holmes at receiver. The wide-man has damaged his left foot and is out for the foreseeable.

Regardless of whether Ryan swaps his allegiances to Tebow (who stole the Jets horror show last week by completing a nine-yard pass), or stays committed to Sanchez as seems likely, "committed" appears the operative word with the Texans in town. Just look at the stats on Houston's dominant defense - which only yields 14 points per game and recently plundered three takeaways and returned two picks for touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans. And then remember that they're not too shabby on the other side of the ball either.

Matt Schaub has a beautifully balanced line at his disposal, securely anchored to the bedrock running of Adrian Foster (103 carries already this term) and the elusive patterns of Andrew Johnson (perhaps only one game shy of 10,000 receiving yards). All of which has seen the Texans average over 30 points per game on offense and earn the tag of Superbowl favourites (currently available at 6.05/1 to back).

Redeeming features for the Jets' chances merely reside in the annals of head-to-head results. The Texans have never beaten them (0-5), with three of those losses coming on the road. It's a stat which appears salient but is in fact closer to spurious. New York's second team rank a distant second in most departments against Houston. Hell, for all their issues on offense, they're also missing their defensive leader, corner Darrelle Revis, for the remainder of the campaign with a torn knee ligament.

So set aside any sophistic analysis and recognise the glaring truth that's dazzling your eyes. The Texans should dominate this one from the opening kick-off, taking the first-half and match handicaps en route to a comfortable victory. The Overs on Total Points also appeal, as does Foster for that opening TD.

Recommended Bets

Back Houston Texans (-7.5 points) on the Match Point Spread @ 1.910/11 or better
Back Houston Texans (-5.5 points) on the First-Half Point Spread @ 1.910/11 or better
Back Over 39.5 Total Points @ 1.910/11 or better
Back Houston Texans TD to be First Scoring Play @ 3.02/1 or better
Back A Foster to be First / Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ 6.05/1 or better