The Jets embark on a crucial western trip
The New York Jets scored their first victory since mid-September and their third victory of the season last Thursday with a 21 – 13 win over the Houston Texans. The win moved the Jets into second place in a bad AFC East division and kept the Jets hovering on the periphery of the AFC wild card race.
Now the 3-6 Jets head west to take on the 5-4 Arizona Cardinals in Arizona. A win will keep the Jets’ faint playoff hopes alive for another week. A loss would give the Jets seven losses on the season and all but end the Jets’ chances at a post-season berth.
The Cardinals have won three of their last four games and are currently sitting in first place in the NFC West division. They are coming off a dominating 29 – 9 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Let’s take a look at the current odds for this game according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The current line has the Jets a road underdog by 1.5 points. I am a bit surprised the spread isn’t wider. The Jets have for the most part been one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. They put together an excellent half of football in the second half of their 21 – 13 victory over the Texans last Thursday, but the first half they were terrible. The Jets have only put together four quarters of good football once all season, in their 24 – 3 domination of the New England Patriots in week three. Otherwise they played one good half against the Tennessee Titans, one good half against the Houston Texans, and a whole lot of terrible football every other game of the season. The Jets have just one road win all year, against an awful Tennessee Titans team, and they have beaten just one winning team all year, the Houston Texans at home last week. As they have most of the year, the Jets may be getting too much credit from the oddsmakers here. The game has an over/under of 45.5 points. On the moneyline the Jets and the Cardinals are both -110.
The Jets need this game badly. They need to put a winning streak together if they are to have any shot at the playoffs. Thus far the Jets have shown no indications they are capable of doing that. Perhaps the second half of last week’s win over the Texans will mark a turning point for the Jets. Perhaps they’ll start living up to the hype going forward. It’s possible. But it’s not the way to bet.