Jets Texans Betting – Jets Fly South To Open Preseason Monday Night In Houston
One of the loudest and most obnoxious head coaches in the NFL today will meet one of the most subtle in week one of the 2011 NFL preseason, as Rex Ryan and the New York Jets travel south to take on Gary Kubiak and the Houston Texans in the first Monday night game of the sports betting preseason. While there are plenty of storylines to follow heading into this game, perhaps the most noteworthy is that these are the two teams that missed out big on acquiring the services of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
- New York Jets @ Houston Texans
- Monday August 15, 2011 – 8:00 PM ET
- Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
NFL Betting Lines: Houston Texans – 2.5
Asomugha was a favorite to land in either New York or Houston before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, and his decision impacted both teams. While the Texans scrambled to sign free agent Jonathan Joseph as the second-best option on the market, the Jets brought back Antonio Cromartie but missed out on resigning wide receiver Brad Smith and defensive end Shaun Ellis in the process.
NFL Betting Preview: New York Jets
Ryan has already made it clear that his team has the weapons to replace Smith, but that might not exactly be true. A star special teams player that also worked well with quarterback Mark Sanchez, Smith is now gone as well as longtime Jets’ receiver Jerricho Cotchery. In their place is Plaxico Burress, who has spent the past two seasons watching from a jail cell, and Derrick Mason, who the Baltimore Ravens felt could no longer contribute at a high level. That leaves a couple of key question marks as the team looks to focus more on a strong running game again this season, while relying on Ryan and a ton of stars on the defensive side of the ball.
NFL Betting Preview: Houston Texans
Unlike the Jets, Houston will enjoy the fact that they were able to retain most of the pieces of an offense that finished first in the NFL a year ago, with that continuity helping them to get to that next level again this year. The key to the Texans’ continued development is on defense, where Joseph and a former New York Jets’ back in Drew Coleman look to make an impact. Houston also signed safety Daniel Manning, and it will be crucial for those players to perform early on as the team looks to make the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 early on. The Texans have the weapons to be a better team on defense, but that improvement will need to start in the preseason.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
While the Jets have gotten much more sports betting bonus media attention this summer, the Texans are in a very good position to finally reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history. The talent level is there in Houston, but now it is about putting together the pieces to enjoy a successful year, beginning in week one of the preseason on Monday night.
NFL Betting Pick: Houston Texans – 2.5
