Was the Jets’ win over the Texans the start of a surge or an example of the proverbial blind squirrel finding an acorn?

That’s the question fans and NFL Bettors have to wonder as the team heads west to take on Arizona on Sunday.

We’ve focused on all the games the Jets lost this season that they should have won. If a few field goal attempts from the previously reliable Greg Zuerlein had gone through the uprights, they would be sitting at 5-4 or better.

But a week ago, on Thursday at MetLife Stadium, it was the opposite story: a win that probably should have been a loss.

The second half was a revelation. Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes, including Garrett Wilson’s spectacular catch (who knew a shin could land on the field before a knee?) and the game-winning goal to Davante Adams. The defense also stepped up, limiting CJ Stroud to 11 of 30 passing and sacking him eight times.

The result hid some very serious problems:

* Irv Charles manhandled the punter on fourth-and-21.

* Malachi Corley drops the ball short of the goal line for a sure touchdown.

* Eric Watts manhandling the center on a field goal attempt, a call you never see because no one does!!

The foolish plays and endless penalties suggest that the Jets players are not fully engaged mentally this season. Maybe that changed with a taste of success, but carelessness is a hard habit to break.

The opposition here is more than just a footnote. The Cardinals come in on a three-game winning streak after a 29-9 destruction of the Bears. 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 paving the way for 213 rushing yards against Chicago. Starting running back James Conner is questionable with a finger injury, but backups Trey Benson and Emari Demercado should have success against a Jets defense that ranks 21st in rushing yards allowed despite being No. 4 in total yards allowed.

Maybe Rodgers, Wilson, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams finally have everything under control, and the Texans’ victory lit the fuse. They’ll have to prove it to me because it looks like a tough matchup away from home against a good team.

The pick: Cardinals +1.5.

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

Yes, the records say both teams are 2-7, and it screams that bettors should take the lead close to the touchdown. And yes, the Giants rank last in the NFL with 15.4 points per game, so how could one consider giving up that many?

It just seems to me that the Giants are a better team than the Panthers, and not just by a little bit. They’ve scored a total of 40 points the last two weeks against the Steelers and Commanders, and in games away from MetLife this season, they’re averaging 21.5 points per game.

These European games often end in blowouts, and the Panthers’ win over the free-falling Saints feels like it came from the “Win of the Month” club.

CHICAGO BEARS (-6) over New England Patriots

The Bears have had an offensive lull after the break in road losses to the Commanders and Cardinals. Before that, they won three straight home games, the last two by 26 over Carolina and 19 over Jacksonville. Those are bad teams, but so are the Patriots.

Buffalo Bills (-4) over INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Scary number because the Colts are 3-1 at home with wins over the Bears, Steelers and Dolphins, and a two-point loss to the Texans. However, Indianapolis ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed and with rushing success, Josh Allen should be able to do whatever he wants against that defense.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-7.5) over Denver Broncos

Brutal back-to-back road berth for the Broncos after giving up a perfect passer rating to Lamar Jackson in a 41-10 loss at Baltimore. The Chiefs have failed to cover their last two games, but they have won 14 games in a row, have a new spark in DeAndre Hopkins, and hate Denver.

Atlanta Falcons (-3.5) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Falcons have a propensity to burn their supporters when they are small to moderate favorites, often falling behind late and winning on a last-second kick that produces no coverage. That shouldn’t be the case this week as Kirk Cousins ​​and Bijan Robinson take aim at a Saints team that has lost seven straight, fired coach Dennis Allen, lost Chris Olave to injury and traded Marshon Lattimore to Washington.

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

What a brutal situation for the Bucs: a short week after a Monday night, overtime, decisive loss to the Chiefs, and now they face a desperate Niners team on a bye that could get Christian McCaffrey back. Having Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea on the injured list doesn’t help.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) over WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

I’m aware that many handicappers are hyping the Commanders, who have won seven of their last eight, losing by seven to the Ravens. However, I choose to hold on to a trend that has paid off many times. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is a career 65.1 percent ATS underdog, and the Commanders’ Dan Quinn is a 40.4 percent favorite.

Minnesota Vikings (-7) over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This line is rising quickly with the expectation that Trevor Lawrence will miss time with a shoulder injury. Combine that with the health issues of other Jags players Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis, and this looks to be a cake walk for Justin Jefferson and company, and a nightmare for Mac Jones against the attack by Brian Flores. Happy defending the Vikings.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-7.5) over Tennessee Titans

The Chargers aren’t a team you’d normally expect to win by margin, but Justin Herbert is heating up with wins of 26-8 against the Saints and 27-10 against the Browns. The Titans may be even worse than those teams: They have lost games by 16, 19, 24 and 38 points this season.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) over DALLAS COWBOYS

Jerry World has been a house of horrors for the Cowboys. They are 0-3 with a combined score of 119-43. And that was with Dak Prescott. Now it’s Cooper Rush making his first start since 2022. While lingering injuries to AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are a concern, this is shaping up to be Philadelphia or nothing.

Detroit Lions (-3.5) over HOUSTON TEXANS

The Lions have won six in a row and return to prime time with a healthy, lethal offense that has averaged 36 points per game in that span. The Texans are a respectable team with a few extra days of rest. It’s just that they list five defensive starters as questionable, including pass rush threat Will Anderson Jr.

Betting on the NFL?

MONDAY

Miami Dolphins (+1) over LOS ANGELES RAMS

This could be one of the stealth games of the week, as both teams come in as healthy as they have been all season. The Dolphins have scored 27 points in each of Tua Tagovailoa’s games since he returned from his latest concussion, but the Dolphins lost by one to Arizona and three at Buffalo. No shade on Matthew Stafford and his teammates, I just think this is the week Tua, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle really get things going.

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