NFL Week 9 gets under way as the Houston Texans (6-2) visit the New York Jets (2-6). The oddsmakers have this spread as Jets -2 after the Texans opened the week as favorites on the spread in Thursday contest, while the over/under is set at 42 total points. Kickoff from MetLife Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Continue below for my Texans vs. Jets props and my NFL picks for Thursday Night Football Week 8.
Texans vs. Jets Player Props for Thursday Night Football
- Aaron Rodgers Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (+115, bet365)
- Garrett Wilson Anytime Touchdown (+185, FanDuel)
- Dalton Schultz Over 4.5 Receptions (+140, bet365)
Aaron Rodgers Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (+115)
This has been far from a good season for Aaron Rodgers, who has played far below the lofty standards that he has set over the years. Age has caught up with the former three-time NFL MVP, but there are still reasons to bet Rodgers nowadays. At plus money, to throw two or more touchdowns on TNF is the bet to make.
Rodgers has thrown two or more touchdowns in five of eight games so far and is on a good run with two touchdowns in three of the last four. The only exception being a tough road game against a very good Steelers’ defense.
We also need to factor in that the Texans have given up the second-most passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Houston has allowed 16 in eight games, an average of two per game, which is what we need here.
Garrett Wilson Anytime Touchdown (+185)
Speaking of those 16 passing touchdowns that the Texans have allowed this season, 11 of them have been caught by wide receivers. Houston ranks second in receiving touchdowns allowed to opposing wideouts. If we’re believing that Rodgers throws two or more touchdowns, then we need to work out the most likely recipient.
There’s one man that really stands out beyond all other players on the Jets’ offense and that’s Garrett Wilson. Through eight games, he’s had 15 targets in the red zone, which is one more than all the other wide receivers on the team combined.
Wilson only had three touchdowns so far but he’s getting volume and has still had 17 targets in the past two weeks since Davante Adams arrived in New York.
Dalton Schultz Over 4.5 Receptions (+140)
Dalton Schultz has averaged 2.8 receptions per game this season. Now, though, the Texans are now without Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. That Tank Dell as Houston's only remaining noteworthy pass-catcher. We’re going to see an uptick in work for John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson, but Schultz should also see heavy usage.
Last week, Schultz caught four of six targets for 52 yards. Although the Jets defense are good, that unit is still giving up receptions, even if it’s not translating into huge yardage. Tight end Hunter Henry caught five balls against New York this past week, and there’s no reason Schultz shouldn’t do the same.
Schultz had eight targets in the Texans' first game without Collins and should be in line for a similar bump again now that Diggs is done for the season.
This is a wager worth taking at +140, even against that Jets’ secondary.
