Jets vs. Texans: TV Schedule, Radio, Game Time, Online Streaming and More

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Monday, August 15th, 8:00 p.m. EST

Watch: Nationally Televised by ESPN.  Online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for full league-wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network

Listen: 1050 ESPN Radio (NYJ) SR610 AM/100.3 KILT FM/1010 AM (HOU)

The New York Jets will be making their preseason debut on Monday night when they travel to Houston to take on the Texans. The Jets, however, will not be premiering their most hyped offseason addition, Plaxico Burress. He is dealing with an ankle injury and has been ruled out by head coach Rex Ryan.

We will get our first look at Derrick Mason in a Jets uniform—another veteran receiver the team signed to combat losing Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith.

The Texans will be looking to see how their new-look defense holds up against a team that has made the AFC Championship two years in a row.

Having one of the worst secondaries in the league last year, the Texans went out and got Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning—two underrated veterans who should vastly improve the defensive back unit.

Houston also will look to see how Arian Foster can perform without All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach plowing a path for him. The Baltimore Ravens lured him away from them, and the team will need to make the necessary adjustments to have a high-powered, well-balanced offense once again this year. 

New York Jets Key Addition: Plaxico Burress

The most popular and controversial offseason addition will not be making his debut tonight. Plaxico was signed to take Braylon Edwards' place as the No. 2 receiver and a big, red-zone target for third-year pro Mark Sanchez to hit.

Burress is going to make or break the Jets offense alongside Santonio Holmes. They should be primed for a big year behind the talented receiving tandem, but if Plaxico does not live up to the hype, it could be a disappointment.

Houston Texans Key Addition: Johnathan Joseph

Football Outsiders calculated that the Houston Texans had the worst pass defense in the league last year. Despite having a solid defensive line that includes Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, the Texans simply continued to get torched by opposing quarterbacks.

They knew they needed to fix this so they went ahead and added Johnathan Joseph from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joseph is perhaps the most underrated corner in the league and has somehow yet to make a Pro Bowl in his career. He should be in for another solid season and may get the recognition he deserves. 

Jets Biggest Loss: Braylon Edwards

The Jets attempted to address their need at wide receiver by inking Santonio Holmes to a monster extension and signing veterans Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason to the team.

The loss of Braylon Edwards will hurt them, as he had solid rapport with Mark Sanchez and was a good No. 2 receiver.

If Plaxico does not pan out the way some are predicting, Braylon’s departure to the San Francisco 49ers will come back to haunt the team.

Texans Biggest Loss: Vonta Leach

Vonta Leach was perhaps the best fullback in the NFL last season and cleared the path for Arian Foster, the league's most productive running back. Foster was able to break out and have a monster season, mostly behind the blocks of Leach.

The Ravens poached Leach to help improve their running game with Ray Rice. It will be interesting to see how the Texans cope with this loss.

They are going to trot out Lawrence Vickers and James Casey at the FB position during the game, and it will be a battle to see who will get the starting nod during the regular season. 

What They’re Saying:

Tyler Murray of WEEI.com is saying that Houston Texans backup Matt Leinart is going to see a lot of time on the field Monday night. The fifth-year pro out of USC has not lived up to his draft position or hype since joining the league.

Head coach Gary Kubiak is apparently impressed with Leinart’s leadership and work ethic. He won’t threaten starter Matt Schaub’s job, but he will be a solid option in case of injury to QB1.

Conor Orr of the Star-Ledger reported that Santonio Holmes is excited about his promotion to team captain. Rex Ryan pulled his star receiver aside and told him he wants to see leadership from the now highly-paid player and will stitch a "C" on his uniform.

On his first day as Captain, Holmes stayed late on the practice field and worked with new receiver Derrick Mason. 

What’s Worth Watching: New Houston Texans Defense

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' installment of a 3-4 scheme highlights the Texans new-look defense.

It will have DE Mario Williams converted to a stand-up outside linebacker. There will be a number of other moves along the line and in the linebacker corps to improve one of the weakest defenses in the league last season.

Monday is going to be a solid test for the unit. 

Biggest Storyline: Position Battles  

There really aren’t too many intriguing storylines surrounding this game. If Plaxico Burress was playing, it would certainly be appealing, but this game is going to come down to position battles.

The starters for each side will not be playing very long at all, so we will see a plethora of backups and guys just looking to make the cut duking it out.

For More NFL Preseason News Check Out Our Bleacher Report NFL Page

And for more in-depth analysis for the New York Jets vs. the Houston Texans check out their team pages.