Houston Texans vs. New York Jets Week 14: How to Watch, Betting Odds

The Houston Texans travel north to take on a struggling New York Jets team at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Timm Hamm | Dec 9, 2023

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Houston Texans

The Texans have surprised many NFL pundits this season. They've won four of their last five and sit in second place in the AFC South just one game behind division leader Jacksonville.

While Houston has enjoyed success this season, rookie quarterback sensation C.J. Stroud knows it only gets tougher from here on out.

“Really, these are the most meaningful games of the year after Thanksgiving and going into December and January,” Stroud said. “We’ve gotten off to a good start and we’ve just got to keep that rolling.”

The Texans can't look beyond the Jets - no matter what the records say - and need to remain focused on the present as Houston rookie coach DeMeco Ryans indicated.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) hands the ball off to running back Devin Singletary (26) in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. — Houston Texans / Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

“Proud of what they’ve done,” Ryans said. "They know we’re not where we can be. We know we can still play much better ball than we’ve shown over the past several weeks, and everybody is hungry to improve. And that’s what I love most about our team is the hunger to continue to get better.”

New York will revert back to Zach Wilson under center on Sunday. While the Jets have struggled mightily at quarterback this season since the newly-acquired Aaron Rodgers went down during the fourth play of the season, Stroud has impressed.

As the No. 2 overall pick in last April's draft, Stroud leads the NFL with 3.540 yards passing. That's the third-most by a player ever through his first 12 games.

“He's a very unique young quarterback,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “He's a guy I really wish we would've played Weeks 1 to 4 when he was still trying to figure out this game.”

Stroud also has thrown 20 touchdowns to just five picks this season.

“For me, it’s not just focused on me,” Stroud insisted. “I take full responsibility for being the leader, but the first thing I remember coming into the building, I was talking to a couple of vets, and they were like, 'You’re not in this on your own. We’re right there with you, holding ourselves to the same standard you do. We’re right there.’”

The Jets haven't been horrible defensively this season, particularly against the pass. New York hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer in 30 straight games. In that stretch they've faced names like Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert, and Josh Allen (twice). But Stroud will be their latest test.

“He's a phenomenal quarterback,” Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said. “A young guy that's doing tremendous things, a lot of stuff well. A young guy that's making big-time throws down the field.”