Thursday Night Preview – Week 3
Thursday Night Football Week 3
Houston Texans (2-0) @ New England Patriots (2-0)
8:25 EST at Gillette Stadium (CBS, NFL)
Partly Cloudy 83/55 degrees.
EVEN O/U: 41
These two teams have only met 8 times before tonight with New England holding a 7-1 advantage. Both teams have perfect records after the first two weeks of 2016 and both are atop their respective divisions.
Expect a chess match
Bill Belichick has mentored many successful NFL coaches throughout his career and Texans head coach Bill O’Brian is one of them. But it’s not just Bill O’Brian’s homecoming, he’s bringing Romeo Crenel (defensive coordinator), Mike Vrable (LB coach), Larry Izzo (Special Teams Coordinator), and Georgia Godsey (Offensive Coordinator) along with him, all of whom either played or coached (or both) for Belichick.
Who will QB for New England?
Most reports seem to indicate that Garoppolo (sprained AC joint) is too sore and won’t be able to play. Rookie Jacoby Brissett is presumed to be the starter. It’s been reported that WR Julian Edelman will be the backup QB. Edelman played QB in college. (Wildcat, anyone?) Expect to see a lot of LaGarette Blount in an effort to control the game flow and alleviate some of the pressure for whoever is under center.
Texans will bring the heat
Houston’s defensive line leads the NFL in sacks with 9 so far this season and 5 time pro bowler Vince Wilfork returns to Gillette Stadium in a Texans uniform. Whoever is under center for New England can expect a lot of pressure.
New England could get burned deep
Brock Osweiler has a gunslinger mentality. Even if the Pats can frustrate him and cause him to make some mistakes, he will keep taking his shots downfield and when you’re throwing to guys like Hopkins and Fuller, good things are going to happen. New England gave up 100yds+ to two Miami receivers last week and tonight could be more of the same.
Injury round up
TE Rob Gronkowski (NE)- showed up at practice with pads on and the attitude that he will be playing this week. Check pregame reports for playing status.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (NE)- partially participated in practice but is not expected to play.
WR Braxton Miller (HOU)- will not play.
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