Jacoby Brissett and LeGarrette Blount Spearhead Patriots Shoutout Win

Rookie quarterback JACOBY BRISSETT started the first game of his NFL career tonight versus the Houston Texans.  And that first career start ended up being a success as he, running back LEGARRETTE BLOUNT, and the Patriots defense spearheaded New England’s 27-0 shoutout win over the Texans at Gillette Stadium.

Brissett who started tonight’s game due to his own preparation and of course also due to a right shoulder injury that JIMMY GAROPPOLO suffered last week versus the Miami Dolphins, had a solid game. Brissett who went 11 of 19 for 103 yards passing (he also added 48 yards on 8 carries and 1 scoring run tonight), wasn’t asked to carry the Patriots (3-0) offense. He was simply asked to not make mistakes and play within himself, and he did that.

Then there was Blount, who lived up to his last name as he punished the Texans (2-1) defense with 105 yards on 24 carries and 2 scoring runs. Both of those scoring runs were major, because they helped take away much of the fight of the Texans.

As for the Texans, one can blame their lack of consistency showing up in the scoring zone (from the 25-yard line to the end zone) for the reasons why they didn’t score any points. But one MUST give credit to the Patriots defense, because they pressured Texans quarterback BROCK OSWEILER and cut off much of the running lanes of the Texans running game. The Texans got their yards but they had earn every single last one of those yards. Osweiler went 24 for 41 for 196 yards and 1 interceptions. He also was sacked two times.

Moving on to game action, on 1st and 15 late in the second quarter, Brissett took the snap and then play-action faked to running back LEGARRETTE BLOUNT. Brissett seeing he had room to his right, took off down the sidelines nearly untouched for a 27-yard score. With 1:54 to go in the first quarter the Patriots increased their lead to 10-o. That touchdown run was the first scoring run of any kind (running or passing) in Brissett’s young career.

Blount furthered his teams’ lead when he followed his fullback JAMES DEVELLIN into the end zone on the left side for an eventual 20-0 Patriots lead. That play took place with 5:41 to go in the third quarter.

Then Blount took it upon himself to help put the Texans in a further crunch. On 2nd down and 4 from the HOU 41 yard line, Blount took a Brissett handoff and then he ran through an open hole on the left side and from there Blount coasted to an easy touchdown. With exactly eleven minutes left in the game, the Patriots took a 27-0 lead which ended up being the final score.