Third QB, third win for Patriots
Jacoby Brissett leads New England to 27-0 victory over Houston.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Another week, another new quarterback, another win for the New England Patriots.
Jacoby Brissett had a 27yard touchdown run in his first NFL start, LeGarrette Blount added scoring runs of one and 41 yards, and the Patriots beat the Houston Texans, 27-0, on Thursday night.
Brissett began the season as the third-string quarterback behind Tom Brady, who is serving a four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate, and Jimmy Garoppolo — inactive after injuring his right shoulder last week. Brissett’s start was the first time that New England had started a rookie quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1993.
“It was crazy. It was awesome,” Brissett said of his first touchdown. “Definitely great to see all the players just run up to you. I got a headache from all the head bobbing and head bumping. But it was definitely worth it.”
The Texans (2-1) entered the game with the NFL’s third-ranked defense and nine sacks through two games, but they struggled to put pressure on the 23-yearold quarterback.
Brissett was steady throughout, moving the chains on offense with a diet of short passes and scrambles. The Patriots (3-0) also mixed in lots of pre-snap motion and shifts that helped create both throwing and running lanes for Brissett. He finished the night 11 for 19 for 103 yards, and ran eight times for 48 yards.
Houston didn’t help itself on special teams either, turning the ball over twice on fumbled kickoff returns. Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler was 24 for 41 for 196 yards and was sacked twice. He also had a promising drive in the second quarter thwarted by Jamie Collins’ interception.