Official Texans vs. Patriots Game Thread, 10/10/2021

[Arky]

The 1-3 New England Patriots come to town this Sunday to take on the 1-3 Houston Texans in an early Sunday game. The Texans are coming off a 40-0 road loss to the Bills while the Patriots are coming off a 19-17 home loss to the Bucs. The Pats are led by rookie QB Mac Jones (Alabama) - 112/160 for 70%, 6.3 avg, 4 TDs, 4 INTs, 84.7 rating. Look for RB's Damien Harris and James White in the rushing game and WRs Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor and TE Hunter Henry in their passing game.

The Texans will probably start rookie QB Davis Mills again and it should be a friendlier setting for him playing in NRG rather than in rainy Buffalo.

The Pats really looked good against the defending champion Bucs on SNF so I gotta go with them in this game. Gotta see some improvement and production from the Texan offense just to keep this one close (and I'm not holding my breath):

Patriots 31, Texans 17

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local, noon CST, Sunday, 10/10/2021

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, James Lofton

The line = Patriots by 9 to 10

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) = Green Bay @ Cincinnati, Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

FOX (late) = NY Giants @ Dallas, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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Prime time:

TNF = LA Rams @ Seattle (FOX/NFLN)

Sunday morning (8:30 CST) = NY Jets vs Atlanta (in London) (NFLN) (Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta)

SNF = Buffalo @ Kansas City (NBC)

MNF = Indianapolis @ Baltimore (ESPN)

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Arky

The line = Patriots by 9 to 10

I actually like a home dog here, so give me the points. The Texans are bad, just not as bad as they were on the road in the rain in Buffalo. And the Patriots aren't as good as they were at home keyed up for a big game with Tom Brady returning.

The Texans still suck though and should lose this game. Belichick has a way of taking away your best offensive option, which means it might be tough for getting Brandin Cooks to take over. So Mills needs to find Amendola or another receiver (not you, Anthony Miller!), use his tight ends, find David Johnson in the flat, etc. I could see a garbage time back door cover here.

Patriots 27, Texans 20

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Keith

I actually like a home dog here, so give me the points. The Texans are bad, just not as bad as they were on the road in the rain in Buffalo. And the Patriots aren't as good as they were at home keyed up for a big game with Tom Brady returning.

The Texans still suck though and should lose this game. Belichick has a way of taking away your best offensive option, which means it might be tough for getting Brandin Cooks to take over. So Mills needs to find Amendola or another receiver (not you, Anthony Miller!), use his tight ends, find David Johnson in the flat, etc. I could see a garbage time back door cover here.

Patriots 27, Texans 20

I gotta see a pulse before I back them again. Last Sunday was a total failure across the board - offense, defense, special teams, coaching....

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Sure am glad Directv is doing free Sunday Ticket and Redzone this year. No more getting stuck watching the Cowboys because it's the only game on...

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Speaking of the Cowboys, they seem to be much better than I thought. Also, they are the last team to be a perfect 4-0 ATS. Texans are 2-2 ATS. (covered vs. Jax and Cleveland).

[Arky]

Texans on the board first. Mills hits Auclair for an 11 yard TD.

Fairbairn misses the XP.

Texans 6, Pats 0

4:54 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

The Pats answer with a drive of their own. Harris carries it in for the last yard.

Folk misses the XP.

Texans 6, Pats 6

14:17 left in the half.

[Arky]

Mills with the jump ball at the sideline to Chris Moore, Moore snags it and runs it in for a 67 yard TD reception.

Fairbairn misses the XP. Again.

Texans 12, Pats 6

12:56 left in the half.

[Arky]

Harris runs it in for a TD for the Pats but fumbles while crossing the goal line. Play is under review......

Refs rule the ball was punched out before he crossed the goal line. Touchback, Texan's ball.

Score remains:

Texans 12, Pats 6.

About 8 minutes left in the half.

[chuck]

This team has a lot of problems, insurmountable ones, probably, since they begin with the owner, but this year's team is so much more intelligently managed than those of previous years. It's pretty striking.

It's too bad they got crossways with Deshaun because they might be able to do something with him in this horrible division. I guess the real tragedy is that they gave away so many of their best players. If they'd kept a core group around they might be pretty decent, Deshaun or no Deshaun.

[Arky]

Texans convert a couple of 4th and shorts on a drive on the way to the red zone. Why not?

Mills looking much better this week.

Drive ends with a Fairbairn 33 yard FG.

Texans 15, Pats 6

1:37 left in the half.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by chuck

This team has a lot of problems, insurmountable ones, probably, since they begin with the owner, but this year's team is so much more intelligently managed than those of previous years. It's pretty striking.

It's too bad they got crossways with Deshaun because they might be able to do something with him in this horrible division. I guess the real tragedy is that they gave away so many of their best players. If they'd kept a core group around they might be pretty decent, Deshaun or no Deshaun.

Yep, the AFCS could be had this year with a team just above mediocre. Not sure the Texans qualify although beating the Pats would be a good start.

[Arky]

Pats score with a 52 yard FG from Folk as the half comes to a close.

Texans 15, Pats 9

2 seconds left in the half.

[Keith]

Past regime had a knack of sending good players away.

Anthony Miller and Charles Omenihu are not Deandre Hopkins and J.J. Watt, but yet neither is playing this week, either.

This staff though does seem to get guys to outperform expectations, Buffalo trip aside. Winning a division though is not the goal. Been there.

[Arky]

Davis Mills in the first half:

12/16, 202 yards, 12.6 avg, 2 TD, 0 INT, 156.3 rating. Sacked twice.

And I saw "zip" on a few passes.

[Arky]

Opening drive of the second half, Jones throws an INT to Lonnie Johnson. Texan's ball at the Pat 44 yard line.

Flea flicker to Conley goes for the 37 yard TD.

Extra point is good!!!!!111!!!

Texans 22, Pats 9

13:31 left in the 3rd qtr.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by chuck

but this year's team is so much more intelligently managed than those of previous years

welp there you go

[Arky]

Weird punt attempt by the Texans gives the Pats good field position.

Pats convert it into a 52 yard FG from Folk.

Texans 22, Pats 12

8:25 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Folk connects on a 32 yard FG for the Pats.

Texans 22, Pats 15

1:50 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Keith

Belichick has a way of taking away your best offensive option, which means it might be tough for getting Brandin Cooks to take over. So Mills needs to find Amendola or another receiver (not you, Anthony Miller!), use his tight ends, find David Johnson in the flat, etc.

Receiving stats after 3 quarters:
Chris Moore 5-109-1
Chris Conley 2-77-1
David Johnson 5-46
Pharaoh Brown 2-22
Jordan Akins 2-17
Antony Auclair 1-11-1
Brandin Cooks 1-6

Wow.

[Arky]

Jones hits Henry for the 13 yard TD pass on 3rd down.

Texans 22, Pats 22

9:31 left in the game.

C'mon boys, time to get to work....

[chuck]

Mind boggling idiocy on that punt fiasco and now these morons are likely to lose this game by two scores.