The Texans return to NRG Stadium to host the Tennessee Titans in a week four matchup.
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It was the Patriots’ first shutout win since 2012. It was the longest rushing touchdown by a Patriots quarterback since Steve Grogan scampered 41 yards for a score against the New York Jets on October 18, 1976.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – Another week, another new quarterback, another win for the New England Patriots.
Brissett started in place of Jimmy Garoppolo, who was inactive because of an injured right shoulder.
Gronkowski was targeted just once in the passing game, on a third-and-1 play from the Houston 6-yard line in the first quarter.
After the Patriots played a pretty conservative first half of football and claimed a 10-0 halftime lead, they ground the Texans into oblivion in the second half.
Coach Bill Belichick said there were no special instructions for the rookie to be cautious. He’s just a hardworking kid that’s really dedicated to doing what’s right for the team and trying to improve.
Brissett made his National Football League debut in relief of Garoppolo, who was slammed to the turf by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso on Sunday, a 31-24 Patriots victory. He trotted out on the field Thursday as the first rookie start for the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Brissett finished 11 of 19 for 103 yards with another 48 rushing yards while Osweiler was 24 of 41 for 196 yards and an interception. “At any moment in the game no one wavered, no one flinched, and the results proved themselves with what our team did tonight”.
The Texans defense was led by linebacker Benardrick McKinney who had a team-high X tackles, one sack, one xx.
But Houston coach Bill O’Brien said it’s much too early to panic.
Asked how the hamstring responded, Gronkowski said, “It’s good, it responded well”.
The extra work, it turned out, was hardly needed. We’ve got to put this one behind us and move forward quick. He wasn’t his normal self by any means.
Just as long as all three get a ride on VII Rings some time next summer. It was the first time he appeared in a regular-season game and went without a catch. I kind of got a headache from all the head-bopping. “I think he handled himself great – last week, this week, all week, every day”, Belichick said. The Texans had a 4th and 4 situation where they passed the ball and Malcolm Butler broke it up. “They did a great job at the run game, and did a great job all around and he played well being in a tough situation”. The two fumble recoveries led to the Patriots’ two touchdowns in the contest. It paid off big time on Thursday.
The Patriots opened the second half with an impressive drive, marching down the field in 13 plays and going 71 yards, capped off by a 25-yard field goal from Gostkowski that put the Patriots up, 13-0. Duron Harmon recovered for the Patriots, but James ruled down on the field. It set up a 1-yard score by LeGarrette Blount. 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.
Despite Brissett being the team’s third-stringer, Patriots fans are confident he can lead the team to victory. They deserve all the credit.
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Up next is Tom Landry (270), with George Halas (324) and Don Shula (347) atop the list.
