The Halloween night showdown at MetLife Stadium packs extra spice – a spooky matchup between a New York Jets team that regularly terrifies its fans and a banged-up Texans squad eyeing AFC supremacy. Mother Nature might join the party too.

Latest weather reports indicate a 20% chance of rain after 2 AM, with temperatures hovering around 73°F at kickoff. The National Weather Service predicts mostly cloudy skies and southwest winds at 8 mph, gusting up to 17 mph during the opening quarter.

For the 6-2 Texans, these conditions add another wrinkle to their road challenge. Already tagged as 1.5-point underdogs by BetMGM, Houston faces their first game without star receiver Stefon Diggs, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear last Sunday. “You try to think positively about it, but it’s not a bunch of positive thoughts,” quarterback C.J. Stroud admitted.

The weather forecast shows increasing cloud cover as the game progresses – from 57% at kickoff to 60% by the fourth quarter. Wind gusts could reach 19 mph in the second half, potentially affecting both passing games on the FieldTurf surface.

The Jets (2-6) might welcome these slick conditions. Despite their five-game losing skid, their pass rush could find extra bite. The 78,741-capacity stadium might witness a slugfest where every snap counts, especially if those rain showers materialize.

Jets vs Texans: The ground game takes center stage

Joe Mixon emerges as Houston’s wild card against potential wet conditions. The running back ranks third in the NFL, averaging 100.6 yards per game. “He has carried Houston’s offense in the three games since he returned from injury,” coach DeMeco Ryans noted, a statement that carries more weight after Diggs’s injury.

On the defensive front, New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick looks to build on his debut performance. Last week’s showing included two quarterback pressures in 26 snaps. With Stroud already sacked 22 times this season – tied for third-most in the NFL – any slippery conditions could amp up the pressure.

The over/under sits at 42 points, reflecting both teams’ circumstances. The Texans have struggled as favorites against the spread this season, covering just once – against the struggling Patriots. Meanwhile, the Jets’ season hangs by a thread, still searching for their early-season optimism.

Thursday’s 7:15 PM CT kickoff might see Mother Nature play matchmaker between Houston’s AFC climb and the New York Jets’ redemption hunt. The slight chance of showers, paired with rising humidity levels from 57% to 63% through the game, sets the stage for an old-school grinder under the MetLife lights.

Regarding football’s evolution, catch our latest ‘Think Tank‘ exclusive where Trey Holder sits down with NFL marketing powerhouses Emily and Erin Griffin. As the Lions’ SVP of Marketing and Brand and Riddell’s SVP of Marketing and Communications respectively, these game-changers break down how football’s reaching new horizons – from flag football’s Olympic debut to revolutionary player safety tech.