Two undefeated teams are ready to do battle on Thursday Night Football as the New England Patriots host the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:25am AEST.
With Tom Brady serving his four-game suspension for deflating balls, third-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had the unenviable task of stepping into the Hall of Famer’s shoes.
But after Garoppolo threw his third touchdown in as many drives against a helpless Miami defence last week, Pats fans could have been forgiven for saying Tom who?
However just minutes later, a big hit delivered by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso brought New England fans back to earth and had Garoppolo wincing in pain as he clutched his shoulder.
Despite the rapturous chant of ‘Jimmy!’ from the New England faithful, Garoppolo was unable to play on after he was diagnosed with a sprained AC joint.
Enter third string rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett. After performing admirably to close out the game against the Dolphins, Brissett is in line for his first NFL start against a miserly Texans defence which is ranked third in both points conceded and yards allowed.
The Texans should feel confident about their chances on the road, after wins over the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs.
Houston’s defence has not allowed a touchdown in their last six quarters and after missing the entire preseason due to back surgery, human wrecking ball JJ Watt looks to be playing himself into form.
The three-time defensive player of the year was back to his ominous best after collecting 1.5 sacks against the Chiefs last week. Texans fans will also be pleased to hear defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will join his Pro Bowl teammate on Thursday night after overcoming a foot complaint.
Clowney has been a key cog for the defense in the first two games of the season and has started to display some of the immense potential that led to him being drafted number one overall in 2014.
However the Texans will need to have both offence and defence firing on all cylinders if they are to topple the Patriots for just the second time in team history.
Since their inclusion into the NFL, the Texans have only managed a solitary victory in eight meetings. The last clash between the two sides was very one sided as the Patriots cruised to 28-6 win.
But with newly acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler at the helm and rookie wide receiver Will Fuller providing the Texans offence with another weapon to compliment star wideout Deandre Hopkins, it is likely to be a vastly different match up this time around.
Prediction
Thursday’s game promises to be an intriguing one as Belichick faces his old protégé Bill O’Brien, now head coach of the Texans.
Against a formidable Houston defence, look for Bill Belichick to feature a run-heavy offence to open up some play action passes and also to take some pressure of the rookie.
New England should hold no fear for Osweiler, after he secured a win against the same team last year for the Broncos playing a mistake free game in tough conditions.
It should be a tight game, but with home field advantage and arguably the greatest NFL coach on their sideline the Patriots might just eek out the win.
Patriots win by 3 (20-17)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 27 HOUSTON TEXANS 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Well mercifully this one is over after the Texans were outplayed in ever aspect of the game. At no point did the Patriots look in trouble of dropping this game. The rookie Brissett wasn't asked to do much with the ball but still ran an efficient offense. Conversely the Pats defence was all over the Texans and quarterback Brock Osweiler - who had trouble completing passes further than 5 yards. The run game was inefficient and Osweiler was under constant pressure. To cap it off, the special teams for New England was dominant, controlling field position all night and causing two fumbles. The 'Next man up' mantra the Patriots adhere to certainly paid of this week as they only have 1 more game remaining before their Hall of Fame quarterback makes his return.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
2 minute warning as the Patriots face 3rd and 8. NE 27 - HOU 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 3:17 4th and 10 HOU 45 (HOU) Texans going for it on 4th because they have no option really. In a rare sight Osweiler throws it further than the line of scrimmage but it has the same result as it is incomplete. With 3 minutes remaining lets hope the Pats can hold on to this ball the game can end quicker. Very one sided game today
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 9:25 2nd and 10 HOU 47 (HOU) This has all Osweiler has been able to do against this Patriots defence as he completes another short 6 yard pass to Grimes. Has barely thrown it further than 10 yards
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 11:08 2nd and 4 NE 41 (NE) The Patriots are doing whatever they please here as Blount runs 41 yards for the TOUCHDOWN. Dreadful effort by the Texans today. NE 27 HOU 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 11:51 4th and 13 HOU 11 (HOU) Lechler doesn't really get a hold of this one as the kick only travels 46 yards. As a result Amendola is able to return it 10 yards to the NE 47
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 13:27 1st and 10 HOU 14 (HOU) Osweiler tries to scramble in the pocket but all that does is enable to him become sandwiched between 3 Pats players for 10 yard loss.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 13:33 4th and 10 NE 36 (NE) Allen punts it away 49 yards, the Texans will take over from their own 14 yard line
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 14:09 2nd and 10 NE 36 (NE) Brissett tries for another QB run as he keeps the ball but no avail. No gain on the run
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 14:12 1st and 10 NE 36 (NE) Brissett with a three step drop but throws over the head of Edelman
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 14:16 4th and 4 NE 36 (HOU) Houston is going for it here. Osweiler tires to throw short for the rookie Fuller but the pass is broken up by Superbowl hero Malcolm Butler. Almost intercepted, turnover on downs.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q4 15:00 3rd and 4 NE 36 (HOU) Another short throw by Osweiler to Grimes leads to a HUGE hit by Jamie Collins.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
End of the third quarter as New England lead 20 - 0. The Texans have been dominated in all three facets of the game and have committed two turnovers on special teams. Hard to see them coming back here
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q3 1:14 2nd and 3 NE 46 (HOU) Finally the Texans have their first play in New England territory as Miller runs for 4 yards on his 17th rushing attempt NE 20 HOU 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q3 2:50 2nd and 4 HOU 26 (HOU) Osweiler throws a 6 yard pass to former Dogs skipper Ryan Griffen NE 20 HOU 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q3 3:36 4th and 3 NE 23 (NE) Ryan Allen punts the ball to Houston 20 after the ball takes some kind bounces to travel 57 yards.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q3 4:16 2nd and 6 NE 20 (NE) Brissett airs it out trying to hit Hogan way down the field but just misses him.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q3 5:03 4th and 10 HOU 39 (HOU) A strong 55 yard punt by Lechler pins Cyrus Jones at the 16 yard line.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Q3 5:08 3rd and 10 HOU 39 (HOU) Osweiler drops back but is under pressure straight away and gets rid of it before he gets sacked. 4th down coming up with the Texans still scoreless nearing the end of the 3rd quarter.