PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NFL Thursday Night Total MASSACRE
(NFL) Houston vs. New England,
Total: 40.50 | -103.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 40.50 | -103.00 Under
Result: Loss
Houston: The Texans signed Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract in the offseason and Houston has to be happy with the team's 2-0 start. Osweiler has thrown for a modest 499 yards in two games with three TDs and three INTs, giving him a poor 79.2 QB rating. However, he has overcome a first-quarter interception in both games this season, as Pro Bowl selection DeAndre Hopkins and first-round rookie Will Fuller are already looking like quite a duo. Hopkins leads the team with 12 catches (he had 111 receptions for 1521 yards with 11 TDs in 2015) and Fuller has nine catches for a team-high 211 yards, becoming just the third WR to start his NFL career with two straight 100-yard receiving games. The J.J. Watt-led defense ranks third (274.5 YPG) in yards allowed, while allowing just 13.0 PPG and already leads the NFL in sacks with nine.
New England: The four-game Jimmy Garoppolo era opened with a 23-21 win in Phoenix against the Cardinals in Week 1, as Garoppolo looked poised and efficient, finishing 24 of 33 for 264 yards and a TD (106.1 QB rating). He then threw three TDs in Week 2 against the Dolphins, as the Pats jumped out to a 24-0 lead. However,Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, forcing Jacoby Brissett to complete the game. He completed 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards but never threw the ball downfield, as the Pats held on for a 31-24 win. Yes, Gronk (hamstring) has yet to make his season debut but fellow TE Martellus Bennett has made his presence felt since being acquired from Chicago in March. He has played on all but two offensive snaps over the first two games and has eight catches, including a 20-yard TD reception last Sunday. WRs Edelman (14 catches) and Amendola (eight) are doing their jobs, as well. Then you have RB LeGarrette Blount, who has run for 193 yards and two TDs.
The pick: Bill O'Brien was Belichick's offensive coordinator before O'Brien left to become head coach at Penn State. His defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had the same job in New England. Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel played for the Patriots, as did nose tackle Vince Wilfork. These staffs are very familiar. Don't be surprised if Osweiler plays his best of the year so far in this one and as for the New England QB situation, the Patriots have kept the door open for Garoppolo to still dress for Thursday's game while WR Julian Edelman, who played QB at Kent State, could serve as an emergency option. New England last started a rookie QB in 1993 (Drew Bledsoe started that year's season finale) but while the Houston defense is top-notch, the Patriots find ways to put points on the board, especially here in Foxboro. This over/under number is tantalizingly low for a Patriots home game and I'm making the over a 10* play.
New England: The four-game Jimmy Garoppolo era opened with a 23-21 win in Phoenix against the Cardinals in Week 1, as Garoppolo looked poised and efficient, finishing 24 of 33 for 264 yards and a TD (106.1 QB rating). He then threw three TDs in Week 2 against the Dolphins, as the Pats jumped out to a 24-0 lead. However,Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, forcing Jacoby Brissett to complete the game. He completed 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards but never threw the ball downfield, as the Pats held on for a 31-24 win. Yes, Gronk (hamstring) has yet to make his season debut but fellow TE Martellus Bennett has made his presence felt since being acquired from Chicago in March. He has played on all but two offensive snaps over the first two games and has eight catches, including a 20-yard TD reception last Sunday. WRs Edelman (14 catches) and Amendola (eight) are doing their jobs, as well. Then you have RB LeGarrette Blount, who has run for 193 yards and two TDs.
The pick: Bill O'Brien was Belichick's offensive coordinator before O'Brien left to become head coach at Penn State. His defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had the same job in New England. Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel played for the Patriots, as did nose tackle Vince Wilfork. These staffs are very familiar. Don't be surprised if Osweiler plays his best of the year so far in this one and as for the New England QB situation, the Patriots have kept the door open for Garoppolo to still dress for Thursday's game while WR Julian Edelman, who played QB at Kent State, could serve as an emergency option. New England last started a rookie QB in 1993 (Drew Bledsoe started that year's season finale) but while the Houston defense is top-notch, the Patriots find ways to put points on the board, especially here in Foxboro. This over/under number is tantalizingly low for a Patriots home game and I'm making the over a 10* play.
