TEXANS (2-0) VS. PATRIOTS (2-0)
THURSDAY, 8:25 P.M. ET, GILLETTE STADIUM, FOXBOROUGH, MASS. uTV: CBS/NFL NETWORK
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
About the Texans: After two games and two wins at home, two things are certain about the Texans — the offense is better than it was in 2015 and the defense is pretty much the same: really good. The jury is still out on QB
but it’s evident that coach has a game manager capable of hitting downfield targets in WRs
and RB has been a solid upgrade in keeping the chains moving, but it’s the Texans defense that has afforded the team the upper hand. DE
was back in a big way in Week 2, but he said he’s still not 100% recovered from offseason back surgery. If the defense can put pressure on New England’s banged-up offense, the Texans might not need much offense again.
About the Patriots: Just when New England fans thought their season couldn’t possibly get any more unlucky, they lose
dazzling fill-in, to a shoulder injury. While Garoppolo’s injury might not be as serious as first thought, it’s unlikely he’ll be recovered in time for Thursday’s quick-turnaround game, meaning rookie QB likely will be thrown into the fire against the league’s best pass rush, which features three first-round picks. While Brissett didn’t light up the scoreboard against the Miami Dolphins the way Garoppolo did before his early exit, he looked capable of managing the offense and handing the ball off to bulldozing RB who had 29 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. Martellus Bennett broke out in Week 2 with five catches for 114 yards and a TD.
Don’t look now, but the 2014 No. 1 overall pick has been quietly wreaking havoc on opposing blockers. He has 11⁄ sacks through two games, but his four quarterback hits and three tackles for losses have been disruptive and opened opportunities for his fellow pass rushers. The Patriots offensive line has allowed two sacks in each of the first two games, but keeping the rookie upright is critical against Houston.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
If hamstring injury sidelines him for a third consecutive game, Bennett will be critical. He led New England with 114 receiving yards against Miami, adding a TD on five receptions, and was targeted on three of Brissett’s nine pass attempts. Houston’s defense has held Chicago Bears TE Zach Miller and Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce to eight catches for 48 yards.
Houston is trying for its second 3-0 start since the franchise’s 2002 inception, something the Patriots have done five times in that span.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Ground games: Maybe it’s Bill Belichick rubbing off on O’Brien, but both teams have leaned heavily on their rushing attack. They’re tied for the league lead in rushing attempts with 69 apiece, while New England is 14th with 3.9 yards per carry and Houston is 24th at 3.3 yards per carry. The team that owns the ground likely will win this game.
2. Pressuring the quarterback: While Houston’s defense has been consistent, New England’s hasn’t put enough pressure on quarterbacks. Time in the pocket will be precious in this matchup, and if the plays don’t have time to unfold, success in the running game will be harder to come by.
3. No jackets: This is Houston’s first regular-season trip to New England since the infamous letterman jacket blunder of 2012. Texans players wore NFL-themed letterman jackets to the game and were shredded 42-14.
Jordan Godwin