It’s another match up between the teacher (Bill Belichick) and the pupil (Bill O’Brien) when the Houston Texans (1-1) travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots (1-1).
The game will be available for your viewing pleasure at 1 p.m. EST on your CBS station.
The Game: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-14)
O/U: 44.5
The History
You want a lopsided series history? How about an 8-1 Patriots advantage over the Texans including two playoff wins.
The only Texans’ victory since the two teams first met up in November, 2003 happened on January, 3, 2010 with a 34-27 Houston win. The Pats rested Tom Brady in the second half after having already sewn up the AFC East and a home field playoff game and current San Francisco 49ers QB Brian Hoyer finished out the game. Matt Schaub, who is backing up Matt Ryan in Atlanta right now, was 24 of 39 for 303 yards, two touchdowns and a pick in the victory.
The Pats delivered two significant beat downs on Houston last season, the first a 27-0 victory in September and the second, of course, was in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs, 34-16.
HOUSTON TEXANS (1-1)
Deshaun Watson not only got his first NFL start last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, he picked up his first NFL win. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 125 yards and rushed five times for 67 yards and a touchdown. The only TD scored by either team in the game.
After taking a week off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans defense showed up in Cincy, sacking Andy Dalton three times and forcing a turnover. Surprisingly, none of the sacks came from J.J. Watt or Jadeveon Clowney, but the team did rack up six tackles for a loss.
O’Brien kept the offense basic two Thursdays ago to help Watson in his transition to the pro game. It worked against the Bengals, but if this team has any chance to beat the Patriots (and they don’t), O’Brien will have to open up the offense and turn Watson loose. He already has a rapport with DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins caught seven passes for 73 yards against the Bengals.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)
It’s a common trope that Belichick likes to take away what another team does best. The problem with facing this Texans team under his former protege is they don’t do anything that well. Watson’s ability to scramble for yardage and make plays with his legs comes from the passing game and isn’t something easily prepared for. The Patriots’ defense hasn’t been all that hot of late, getting manhandled by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week One and giving up a ton of yards to New Orleans last week.
Tom Brady had a phenomenal game against the Saints, but every QB playing New Orleans will have a phenomenal game. The Houston defense is a different monster and it’s lead by another Belichick disciple, Romeo Crennel. And if you know anything about Crennel, that’s a significant advantage for Belichick. Crennel is kind of a doofus.
New England’s injury report is massive, with Rex Burkhead definitely out and Rob Gronkowski listed as questionable with a groin injury. I expect Gronk to play as he, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett are all listed with the big “Q.”
On defense, Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe and Dont’a Hightower both practiced this week and even though they too are questionable, I expect them to suit up as well.
The Pick
This line moved up half a point since it opened early this week and that means all the money has been heading New England’s way. Belichick has never lost against a rookie quarterback in New England and he won’t this time. He will, however, not win by two touchdowns with a banged up offense and a hard hitting Texans defense on the other side of the field. Patriots 24, Texans 16
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 8-8
Season
Straight up: 21-10
Against the spread: 16-15
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