Was the Jets’ victory over the Texans the beginning of a rise, or an example of the proverbial blind squirrel finding the acorn?

This is the question of the fans and NFL Bettors have to ask themselves that question as the team heads west to face Arizona on Sunday.

We focused on all the games the Jets should have won and lost this season. They would be 5-4 or better if the formerly reliable Greg Zuerlein had made a few field goals.

But a week ago Thursday at MetLife Stadium, it was the exact opposite; A win that probably should have been a defeat.

The second half was a revelation. Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns, including a spectacular catch by Garrett Wilson (who knew a shin could go in before the knee?) and an over-the-top clinch to Davante Adams. The defense also stepped up, sacking CJ Stroud eight times on 11-of-30 passing.

The result revealed some very serious problems:

* Irv Charles roughs up the punter on fourth-and-21.

* Malachi Corley drops the ball in front of the goal line for an assured touchdown.

* Eric Watts roughs up the snapper on a field goal attempt, a call you’ve never seen because no one does it!!

Stupid plays and endless penalties show that Jets players are not fully mentally invested in this season. Maybe this has changed with the taste of success, but carelessness is a habit that is difficult to break.

Opposition is not just a footnote here. The Cardinals went on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Bears 29-9. They also have wins over the Chargers, Rams, 49ers, and Dolphins (with Tua Tagovailoa), so this team is no joke.

Arizona’s offensive line is healthy after racking up 213 rushing yards against Chicago. RB James Conner is questionable to start due to a finger injury, but backups Trey Benson and Emari Demercado should find success against a Jets defense that ranks No. 4 in total yards allowed but No. 21 in rushing yards allowed.

Maybe Rodgers, Wilson, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams finally got things under control and the Texans’ win lit the fuse. They’ll have to show me because this looks like a tough game away against a good team.

Pick: Cardinals +1.5.

New York Giants (-6.5) vs Carolina Panthers (in Munich)

Yes, the records say both of these teams are 2-7, screaming that bettors should start with a near-touchdown advantage. And yes, the Giants rank last in the NFL in scoring at 15.4 points per game, so how could we even think of giving up that much?

It seems to me that the Giants are a better team than the Panthers, and only slightly. They scored a combined 40 points against the Steelers and Commanders the past two weeks and are averaging 21.5 points in games outside of MetLife this season.

These European games often turn into blowouts, and the Panthers’ victory over the free-falling Saints feels like it came from the “Winner of the Month” club.

CHICAGO BEARS (-6) vs New England Patriots

The Bears suffered an offensive lull in road losses to the Commanders and Cardinals. Before this, they won three consecutive home matches; They won the last two by 26 points against Carolina and 19 points against Jacksonville. These are bad teams, but so are the Patriots.

Buffalo Bills (-4) vs INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

It’s a scary number because the Colts are 3-1 at home with wins against the Bears, Steelers and Dolphins and a two-point loss to the Texans. But Indianapolis ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed, and with his success on the field, Josh Allen should be able to do whatever he wants against the defense.

KANSAS CITIES (-7.5) vs. Denver Broncos

It’s a brutal back-to-back road situation for the Broncos, who gave up a perfect passer rating to Lamar Jackson in a 41-10 loss at Baltimore. The Chiefs haven’t been successful in their last two games, but they’ve won 14 in a row, they have a new spark in DeAndre Hopkins, and they hate Denver.

Atlanta Falcons (-3.5) vs NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Falcons have a tendency to burn out their supporters when they’re small to mid-level favorites, often falling behind late and pulling off a scoreless lead on a last-second shot. Kirk Cousins ​​and Bijan Robinson targeted a Saints team that had lost seven straight points, fired coach Dennis Allen, lost Chris Olave to injury and traded Marshon Lattimore to Washington.

San Francisco 49ers (-6) vs TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

What a brutal situation for the Bucs; A short week from Monday night, overtime, a loss to the Chiefs that put everything on the line, and now he faces saying goodbye to a Niners team desperate to get Christian McCaffrey back. It doesn’t help that Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea are on the injured list.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) vs. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

I realize many keen handicappers are praising the Commanders, who have won seven of their last eight games and suffered seven defeats against the Ravens. However, I choose to stick with a trend that has paid off many times over. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is a career underdog at 65.1 percent ATS, and the Commanders’ Dan Quinn is seen as a 40.4 percent favorite.

Minnesota Vikings (-7) against JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This line is climbing rapidly with the expectation that Trevor Lawrence will miss time with a shoulder injury. This was followed by the Jags’ other talented players: Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis’ health issues, it’s Justin Jefferson and Co. Looks like child’s play for Mac Jones and a nightmare for Mac Jones against Brian Flores’ attack. Happy Vikings defense.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-7.5) vs. Tennessee Titans

The Chargers aren’t normally a team you’d expect to win by a landslide, but Justin Herbert got hot with wins over the Saints, 26-8, and the Browns, 27-10. The Titans, who have lost their games by 16, 19, 24 and 38 points this season, may be in even worse shape than these teams.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs. DALLAS COWBOYS

Jerry’s World has been a house of horrors for the Cowboys. They are ahead 0-3 with a total score of 119-43. And that happened with Dak Prescott. Now Cooper Rush makes his first start since 2022. While the ongoing injuries to AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are concerning, it looks like it will be Philly or nothing this time.

Detroit Lions (-3.5) vs HOUSTON TEXANS

The Lions have won six straight and returned to prime time with a lethal and healthy offense that has averaged 36 points in that span. The Texans are a respectable team that could use a few extra days of rest. Only pass rushing threat Will Anderson Jr. They list five starters on defense as doubtful, including

Betting on the NFL?

MONDAY

Miami Dolphins (+1) vs LOS ANGELES RAMS

This could be one of the undercover games of the week as both teams emerge healthy as they have all season long. The Dolphins scored 27 points in each of the games Tua Tagovailoa played after returning from his recent concussion, but the Dolphins lost by one to Arizona and three to Buffalo. No shade to Matthew Stafford and his teammates, they just feel like this is the week Tua, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle really kick it into gear.

Best bets: Falcons, 49ers, Lions
Lock of the week: Falcons (Locks 5-4 in 2024)
Last week: 6-9 overall, 1-2 Best Bets
Thursday: Bengals