Official Texans vs. Patriots Game Thread, 11/22/2020

[Arky]

Week 11 finds the 4-5 New England Patriots coming to NRG stadium this Sunday to face off against the 2-7 Texans in an early game on CBS. The Texans are coming off a 10-7 road loss to the Cleveland Browns while the Patriots are coming off a 23-17 home win over the Baltimore Ravens on SNF. The "new look" Patriots are led by QB Cam Newton who has been up and down all year - just 3 passing TDs, 7 INTs but always a running threat. RBs Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead handle most of the rest of the run game. Receivers to watch are Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd and Julian Edelman. The Patriot defense is 8th in passing yards and 22nd in rushing yards.

The Patriot's weaknesses are not the Texans strengths = bad matchup for the Texans. I expect Bill Belichick to exploit the Texan's last-in-the-league run defense to the max. I'll be shocked - shocked, I tell ya - if the Texans can pull off the win:

Patriots 27, Texans 17

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday, November 22, 2020

Announcers (https://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2020&wk=11) = Andrew Catalon, James Lofton

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Patriots by 1 to 2½

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) = Atlanta @ New Orleans, Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston

FOX (late) = Dallas @ Minnesota, Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

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Prime time:

TNF = Arizona @ Seattle (FOX/NFLN)

SNF = Kansas City @ Las Vegas (NBC)

MNF = LA Rams @ Tampa Bay (ESPN)

[nunusguy]

Once again down here we get stuck with the 2-7 cowturds instead of a competitive game involving two contenders & division leaders like GB & Indy.
Are there really still that many cowturd fans in Houston metro ?

[Arky]

Once again down here we get stuck with the 2-7 cowturds instead of a competitive game involving two contenders & division leaders like GB & Indy.
Are there really still that many cowturd fans in Houston metro ?

Yes, they're like roaches - they keep coming back.

I'd rather watch GB vs. Indy myself....

[HPF Bob]

As soon as I heard the NFL was expandimg the playoffs to eight teams in each conference, I told anyone in earshot that this eighth slot will be earmarked for the Patriots. From there, they'll make an improbable run to at least the AFC title game because, um, Patriots and the NFL needs the ratings revenue.

Looked at how psyched the Dolphins are, knowing they're winning with Houston's money. Regardless of how often they win, the Fins still have the Texans' Top 5 pick.

[Arky]

Pats get on the board first with a 9-yard rushing TD from Harris.

Pats 7, Texans 0

6:52 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Texans answer with a nice drive ending in a 3 yard TD pass to Cobb.

Texans 7, Pats 7

3:36 left in the 1st qtr.

The offense looks a little inspired today. So far.

[Arky]

Folk tacks on a 44-yard FG for the Pats.

Pats 10, Texans 7

8:32 left in the half.

[Arky]

Watson goes all Earl Campbell and runs one in from 4 yards.

Texans 14, Pats 10

3:54 left in the half.

[Arky]

With time running out in the 1st half, Watson finds Coutee for a 6-yard passing TD.

Texans 21, Pats 10

10 seconds left in the 1st half.

[HPF Bob]

I wonder if there are more Patriot fans in the stands than Texans fans? That are certainly more Steeler fans in the stands at Jacksonville than Jaguar fans.

[Arky]

Halftime.

Watson is hot today. 18/23, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 139.3 rating, no sacks

Akins - 4/77 yards

Cooks - 4/85 yards

[Arky]

Newton connects with Byrd for a 42-yard TD.

Texans 21, Pats 17

8:14 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Fairbairn is good from 36.

Texans 24, Pats 17

2:04 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Folk is good from 36 for the Pats.

Texans 24, Pats 20

7:39 left in the game.

[Arky]

Fairbairn is good from 46.

Texans 27, Pats 20

4:11 left in the game.

[Arky]

Big stand by the defense! Pats fail on 4th and 4.

Texans run a little clock but will have to punt with 19 seconds left. Pats have no timeouts.

Pats ball at their own 29 with 9 seconds left.

Pats come up short! Texans win!

Final Score:

Texans 27, Pats 20

Always good to beat the Pats. Didn't think they could do it. I'm shocked, I tell ya....

[nunusguy]

Watson was very impressive today, don't think there's been many other games where he's thrown the ball with that kind of accuracy and he also kept his cool and made no major mistakes.

[Arky]

Next up is the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. 11:30 am start. No line posted yet....

I wagered on the Pats today. Of course, the Texans won.

I did, however, pick them in a 3-team doggy parlay:

Texans +110 W
Raiders +296 (tonight)
Broncos +176 (Broncos leading 13-10 at the half)

10 "point" bet wins 219.52 points

[HPF Bob]

Any day is a good day if we beat the Patriots.

[Arky]

Early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) now showing Texans favored by 1 to 2½ over the Lions on Thursday.

[HPF Bob]

Oh, wow. I didn't realize we were going to be part of the tradition of suck-ass Detroit Thanksgiving games. Let's hope no Lions try to grab Watson by his nuts the way they did Schaub the last time (with no penalty called).

I understand why the NFL schedules sucky early games with the Lions for Thanksgiving every year - so as not to disrupt the food preparation.