Jets Thump Texans Behind Rookie QB Sanchez
New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez tracked down NFL legend Joe Namath before the game looking for a pep talk and some pointers. He didn't exactly get what he'd bargained for from Broadway Joe, but what the NFL Hall of Famer told him may have had a more beneficial effect. More importantly, the Jets easily beat the host Houston Texans 24-7.
NFL sports betting enthusiasts who took the Jets as +4 road underdogs cashed their tickets with the outright win. New York improved to 10-8 ATS as an underdog over the past three NFL seasons. The combined 31 points scored went UNDER the posted total of 44. The Jets have a slight UNDER bias over the past three years overall at 15-18, while they evened their total mark as an underdog at 9-9.
After the game, Sanchez recounted what Namath had told him in his ersatz pep talk:
"What a pep talk. That was Joe Namath, just taking all the credit from himself and throwing it back to me and just saying, 'Excellent luck.' To hear that from a legend like that, it just kind of gives you the chills. It was something special to be a part of, an emotional start, an emotional small pep talk."
For his part, Namath said he wasnt surprised at Sanchez's solid debut routine:
"No, I was hopeful and I'm satisfied more than I thought I'd be. His offensive line did a hell of a job, but he did a fantastic job of finding time with his feet, just to go subtly ... I don't doubt even a small bit that he doesn't have poise at this stage."
The Jets defense also had a fantastic afternoon. The run defense was particularly stifling, holding Steve Slaton to just 17 yards on the ground. Afterwards, Slaton couldnt believe what had just happened:
"It's just insane. You work for six months leading up to this first game. You have all offseason to prepare for this game and then to come out and play like that is upsetting."
Texans coach Gary Kubiak took the hold responsible for his teams dreadful showing:
"The offensive football team gave us no opportunity and that starts with me. There's nobody that can feel anything excellent coming out of this football game."
Houston will start from scratch on Sunday as they travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are a -6 home favorite with the total set at 40. The Texans will return home for games the following two weeks against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders. The Jets will play their next two games at home, commencement this weekend against the New England Patriots. New York is +4 home underdog to the Pats, with the total set at 47. Theyll welcome the Tennessee Titans to the Meadowlands the following week.
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on baseball betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
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