NFL Double Header Picks: Jags-Texans, Titans-Jets

Houston To Become Jacksonville’s Problem On Sunday

The Texans finally became the team they were supposed to be in Week 2. I’m chalking up Andre Johnson’s performance in Week 1 against the Jets to one guy – Darrelle Revis, the same guy who shut down Randy Moss last week (more about Revis later). Houston has gone 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games, and Matt Schaub and Johnson get to face team that has allowed 279.5 passing yards against this season. Jacksonville’s defense was once revered. Now it’s just pitied.

These two AFC South teams are headed in different directions. While Houston’s launch has been a success, the Jags are on the verge of playoff extinction. And it’s only Week 3. The Jags have done zero to instill some faith in their stock, going 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 against Houston. David Garrard has looked like anything but a guy who deserved a $60 million contract. All this is putting more pressure on MoJo to blast through opponents. With eight in the box, he’ll get yards, but will he win games?

Houston is one the rise. I told you to watch them in the Wildcard hunt, and a huge win over Tennessee has put them right in the hunt. Expect them to keep taking scalps as they rocket past Jacksonville and push the OVER on their own.

Furious Free Pick: Houston -3.5 (OVER)

Titans Face A Stiff Jets Defense, Playoff Hopes In Doubt

The Titans were supposed to be the incredible betting team they were last year, but a brutal start to the season has put their season in serious doubt. Things won’t get any easier against a Jets team that thwarted the Patriots and outlasted Houston in the first two weeks. Chris Johnson is becoming Every Coach’s Dream like he wanted to, but his inspiring play is not putting up wins like it’s supposed to.

Of all the talk surrounding Kris Jenkins, Dirty Sanchez, Bart Scott and Thomas Jones, the true hero of the Jets is Darrelle Revis. The Jets are the top ranked defense in the league, giving up just 241.0 yards total and 8.0 points per game. Revis is a huge part of that. He’s shut down Andre Johnson and Randy Moss in back-to-back weeks, and come up with a pick as well. Against Tennessee, his challenges include Justin Gage and Nate Washington, hardly the caliber of Moss and Johnson. Revis turns any team in to a single-minded team, and while the Titans have shown great effort in running the ball, it may be the only weapon they have if Revis effectively takes the entire passing game away from the Titans.

The Titans are just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games, and have gone winless against the spread when playing the Jets. Like Collins, Sanchez will be resigned to a restricted role in the offense, and that’s fine. The Titans defense will put Thomas Jones to the test, and this is going to be a grinding game that measures the true heart of each team. The Jets have what it takes to become an elite team, and will prove it once and for all to their betting faithful when they put the Titans on the ropes with a win.

Furious Free Pick: NYJ -2.5 (UNDER 37)