The New York Jets entered Thursday night’s game with a surprising advantage in the betting odds, despite their 2-6 record going up against the 6-2 Houston Texans. Many questioned the oddsmakers’ decision, but the Jets proved them right, dominating the second half to secure a 21-6 scoring advantage. Houston led at halftime with a narrow 7-0 edge, but the game could have been tied if Jets rookie Malachi Corley hadn’t fumbled just before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback.
Aaron Rodgers took command after the break, throwing three touchdowns—two to Garrett Wilson and one to Davante Adams. The Jets, fighting to salvage their season, improved to 3-6 with the win. Meanwhile, Houston, now sitting at 6-3, needs to stay competitive, as the Indianapolis Colts are closing in within the AFC South. Despite the contrast in records and trajectories, Rodgers and Houston’s young quarterback, C.J. Stroud, shared a respectful moment after the game.
In the first half, Rodgers managed only 32 passing yards, but he turned it around in the second, finishing with 211 yards, three touchdowns, and a 22-of-32 completion rate. Stroud, on the other hand, faced relentless pressure as injuries on his offensive line left him vulnerable to the Jets’ pass rush, leading to eight sacks. Missing key players like Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, Stroud nonetheless showed resilience, throwing for 191 yards on 11 completions out of 30 attempts and adding 59 rushing yards on eight carries. However, Houston’s offensive line struggles made it difficult for Stroud to find rhythm, adding to the Texans’ challenges throughout the game.
