It may only be Week 3, but this game could be extremely important later on in the season, as the race for playoff position heats up.
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Injured Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is listed as doubtful for Thursday night’s game against the visiting Houston Texans. Two quarterbacks will face off for the first-time ever.
The Patriots listed Garoppolo as a limited participant Wednesday for the second straight day. Quarterback Brock Osweiler, Houston’s new quarterback, has experience beating New England.
The Patriots don’t have a backup QB on the roster right now, but they’ve been working with WR Julian Edelman to get him ready.
Jimmy Garoppolo is still recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained during Sunday’s game against Miami.
Brissett will be the starter and would presumably remain the quarterback as long as he’s healthy. New England pulled out a one-touchdown win, but a change in quarterback seemed to affect the entire team.
“I’m just anxious about Thursday, and helping our team, and no matter what we do, just go out there and try to get a victory, ” said Brissett, who completed 6 of 9 passes in the win over the Dolphins. In a pinch, they may just send Edelman out there. Patriots coach Bill Belichick is 10-2 in Thursday games. They don’t call plays.
New England Coach Bill Belichick obviously was not going to reveal too much about Garoppolo’s status on Tuesday, because that isn’t his style.
However, Brissett said he’s preparing for this game just like he would any other, even if Thursday is his first National Football League start.
Meanwhile, Watt will have a frustrating night getting to the quarterback… The 21st overall pick in this year’s draft needs one more 100-yard receiving game to become the first player to start his career with three straight such games. This is where A.J. Bouye, who was outstanding on Kelce on Sunday, and possibly Kevin Johnson or Kareem Jackson, if both Patriots tight ends play, will come into heavy play, patrolling the middle of the field.
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This week on Thursday Night Football, the Patriots return home to Gillette Stadium, but this is not the same team as a year ago or even last Sunday. “Whether I was the backup or I was playing previous year, I wanted to show up and get better every single day.There was a coach that told me ‘If you’re not getting better, you’re getting replaced'”.
