NFL Predictions: Week 3 Picks and Hot Takes
By Joe Wedra
Houston Texans at New England Patriots, 8:25 p.m. ET on Thursday, CBS/NFL/Twitter
Jacoby Brissett is starting in an NFL game in week three of his rookie season. This is not a drill.
With the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo for at-least this week, one would imagine the game-plan for New England will center around the rushing attack and the potentially punishing style of LeGarrette Blount. We know the New England staff with scheme up a favorable strategy on defense, even against a very legitimate Texans offense – that aspect of the game won’t change. It should be a run-heavy, vanilla approach at home in hopes that the defense and/or special teams can step up and create points when needed. It’s a short week with a QB who has seen an NFL regular season gridiron zero times. This isn’t a tough preview on the Patriots side.
The angle of Houston in this game is particularly interesting. Brock Osweiler has been a much-needed boost under center for the Texans, enjoying the likes of Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins as his catch partners. They match up well against the New England defense and should have plenty of opportunities to air the football out on Thursday night. If there is one, the potential issue lies within the overall situation.
It’s a short week. On the road. Against a team they should, on paper, be able to beat. Matching up against a Bill Belichick-led team, this game enters a potential danger zone. Sure, Houston should win. But as we mentioned at the onset of this piece – we’re dealing with the wild and wacky NFL.
Belichick works his magic yet again, Patriots eek out 23-21 win over Houston.