new york The Jets’ season is on life support after a shocking loss to the New England Patriots and have virtually no margin for error for the rest of the year.

On Thursday, they will host a Houston Texans team that has won four of its last five games at MetLife Stadium.

Who will come out on top in this prime time? AFC fight?

Let’s delve into the matchups and find a betting value.

When the Texans have the ball

I’ve been unimpressed with Houston’s offense for much of this season.

Despite CJ Stroud being one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks, the Texans rank 29th among NFL offenses in kickoff return success rate, a predictive measure of long-term offensive production.

Houston struggled to maintain consistency on offense, especially with superstar wide receiver Nico Collins released.

Stefon Diggs is now out for the season after suffering a torn ACL.

That puts the Texans in a tough spot against a Jets defense that still ranks second in passing yards allowed this season.

Stroud struggled against the Jets defense last year, completing just 10 of 23 passes for 91 yards while picking up four sacks in a 30-6 New York victory.

That was with Collins on the field, and it’s hard to imagine Stroud lighting up the scoreboard without two receivers.

Stroud has also been significantly worse on the road in his career.

He posted 8.6 yards per attempt and a 105.7 passer rating at home, compared to 6.9 yards per attempt and a 90.5 passer rating on the road.

When the Jets have the ball

Jets trade acquisition Davante Adams can’t solve the team’s biggest problem — an offensive line that significantly exceeded preseason expectations.

New York ranks 24th among NFL teams in pass-blocking win rate this year, and Aaron Rodgers will likely be under significant pressure against Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

The duo leads the league’s fourth-best passing defense line.

Rodgers’ lack of mobility in the pocket has become a significant issue, especially as he deals with various lower-body ailments behind an offensive line that can’t protect him.

After last week’s game, Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said, “He can’t move there … he doesn’t look mobile at all.”

The Jets will most likely struggle to run the ball.

New York ranks 30th in adjusted offensive line yards and faces a Houston defensive line that ranks sixth in defensive line yards and second in run-stop percentage.

That will likely lead to some third-and-long situations for Rodgers, which will be problematic against Houston’s third-ranked pass defense by DVOA.

Do you bet on the NFL?

The final verdict

The Texans’ losses of Collins and Diggs are devastating for an offense that has already struggled to maintain consistency this season.

This looks to be a brutal spot for Stroud on the road against a defense that can still pressure and hold up in coverage.

Meanwhile, the Jets’ weak offensive line will be completely outmatched against a strong Texans front seven, leading to obvious passing situations for an immobile Rodgers behind an offensive line that can’t protect him against an elite pass rush.

I trust both defenses on Thursday Night Football.

Recommendation: Under 42 (-110, ESPN BET)

Why Trust New York Post Bets

Jacob Wayne handicaps college football and the NFL for the New York Post. He’s up 84.5 units across the two sports for a 6.27% ROI.