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NFL Week 3 Picks: Odds, Prop Bets and Predictions Before Thursday Night
- Updated: September 22, 2016
When the injury report came out Wednesday night, New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was listed as doubtful for New England’s home game against the Houston Texans Thursday night.
If Garoppolo can’t play as a result of the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett will get the first start of his career. Brissett relieved Garoppolo on Sunday after the quarterback was hit hard in the second quarter against the Dolphins.
An inexperienced third-round draft pick from North Carolina State would seemingly not have much of a chance to beat a Texans defense that includes All-Pro J.J. Watt and speedy Whitney Mercilus, but Bill Belichick’s team is never easy to beat, especially at Gillette Stadium.
The Texans and the Patriots are rated at even in this game, according to Odds Shark, and the Patriots have Belichick working up the game plan. Belichick does many things to help his team win, and he will find his opponent’s biggest weakness and give his team a plan to execute. Conversely, he will also try to protect his team’s most vulnerable area.
That means Brissett, who could become a fine quarterback with significant experience, should not have to win the game on his own. The Patriots will need their running game, defense and special teams to gain key advantages in this one.
That could happen, especially with the special teams advantage. New England has had a huge edge with placekicker Stephen Gostkowski and gunner Matthew Slater throughout the years. Look for the Pats’ proficiency on special teams to play a key role as New England wins at home even though the team is down to its third-string quarterback.
The Pats are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the Texans.
Bruce Arians is not an easy man to please. His Arizona Cardinals rolled to a 40-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, but the head coach was not thrilled with his team’s …
