The New England Patriots, with a backup rookie quarterback, still found a way to throttle the Houston Texans:
Well, this was a fun game, huh?
The new look Texans offense got completely completely outclassed, not moving onto the Patriots side of the field until the second half. The defense was not much better, failing to slow down the Patriots offense in a 27-0 loss at Gillette Stadium on Thursday Night Football.
The game was another sign that Bill O’Brien is still the pupil and Bill Belichick is still the master. O’Brien got outcoached by Belichick as the Pats put in a strong gameplan that played to rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett‘s stengths. Furthermore, the Patriots offensive line was able to make J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney practically invisible all game long. The two of them combined for two(!) tackles.
Meanwhile, the offense got beat up and shut down for the whole game. Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler played well against New England last season in relief of Peyton Manning, but looked rattled Thursday night. He completed 24-of-41 passes for 196 yards with an interception and was sacked twice. Running back Lamar Miller could not get off a big run, being held to 80 yards on 21 carries.
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The game spiraled out of control in the second quarter after a Stephen Gostkowski field goal made it 3-0. Charles James II fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting up a 27-yard touchdown run by Brissett to make it 10-0 at halftime.
After another Gostkowski field goal in the third quarter, rookie Tyler Ervin fumbled the kickoff return. That led to a 1-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount to make it 20-0. Blount added another touchdown on a 41-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
Probably the only bright spot for Houston came from linebacker Benardrick McKinney, who had 16 tackles and a sack. Punter Shane Lechler had six punts for 40.2-yard average, including a 57-yard punt.
But if your bright spot included the punter, it usually means no one else had a good game. This is a tough one to swallow because the Texans wilted under the national spotlight once again.
There are two other silver linings. First, no serious injuries reported by the team. Second, the Texans will have a lot of time to put this game out of mind before facing Tennessee at home on Oct. 2.