The Patriots host the Houston Texans. It is the first of two throwback games and we will see the regular season debut of Drake Maye. As always, feel free to join the conversation by commenting in the comments section.
First quarter
-Patriots defense struggling early with this Houston passing game. Texans stretching them out horizontally and creating space.
-Gonzalez having trouble so far with Diggs.
-Patriots defense holds but a costly penalty by Mapu extends the drive. Tough break.
-Not a good start for the defense. Tank Dell scores from 2 yards out and Houston strikes first.
TANK DELL 2 YD TOUCHDOWN. EXTRA POINT IS GOOD. 7-0 TEXANS WITH 9:13 LEFT IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
-Happy Maye Day! Here we go.
-AVP hearing it from the crowd after two straight run calls.
-Three and out.
-Tank Dell making the Patriots wish they drafted him in 2023.
-Another ticky tac call there by the officials.
-And they don’t pick him up out of the back field an Mixon scores.
JOE MIXON 10 YD TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION. EXTRA POINT IS GOOD. 14-0 TEXANS 3:13 LEFT IN THE FIRST.
-Drake Maye opens with an easy completion. Two plays later, picked off after trying to force a ball into triple coverage. Can’t force sand up a flea’s ass!
END OF 1ST: TEXANS 14 PATRIOTS 0
2nd Quarter
-Patriots defense comes up with a much needed hold. Fairburn misses the 44 yard field goal and the Patriots catch a break.
-Maye with a couple of hold my beer runs.
-The undisciplined play continues. Sixth penalty already.
-Will Anderson sacks Maye and Lowe gets hurt. And the beat goes on…..
-Mixon creases one for 59 yards. Defense is gassed.
-BINGO!!! Marcus Jones picks off Stroud on the deflection. Defense is keeping them in it. 35 yard interception return.
-Maye getting bounced around back there but showing toughness.
-The pocket athleticism with Maye makes a difference with the offense.
-Tipped pass prevents the Patriots from getting a P.I call.
-Defense holds up once again. Forces the three and out. Keeping the Patriots in this game thus far.
-Will Anderson abusing Jacobs and Thomas. It doesn’t matter what side he is on, he is destroying people.
-This game should be 28-0. Patriots defense competing their asses off.
-Maye continuing to show toughness in the pocket and good timing an anticipation from the pocket.
-TOUCHDOWN!!! What a beautifully thrown ball by Maye on the fade to Boutte for the 40 yard touchdown pass. Patriots get on the board. 14-7 Texans with 11 seconds left in the first half.
TEXANS 14 PATRIOTS 7: HALFTIME
3rd Quarter
-Rough start. Maye getting crushed.
-Play-action holds the secondary, Diggs slips behind on the glance route and Houston now leads 21-7 with 13;28 left in the third.
-There’s the quick screen we said they should throw today.
-Maye has to anticipate that throw to Douglas better and take something off of it.
-Pass pro continues to be a mess. It is going to be tough to watch all season long.
39 YARD FIELD GOAL BY FAIRBAIRN: 24-7 TEXANS WITH 6:56 LEFT IN THE 3RD QTR
-Great catch by Hooper but then he turns around and fumbles it away. The undisciplined nature of this team is nauseating.
-Patriots defense holds once again.
–FAIRBAIRN 46 YARD FIELD GOAL: 27-7 TEXANS WITH 5:22 LEFT IN THE 3RD QTR
- Drake’s scrambling ability is the whole reason they picked up 30 yards right there.
-Not the best throw to Pop but what an adjustment by Douglas to catch that pass.
MAYE TO HENRY 6 YD TOUCHDOWN PASS. EXTRA POINT IS GOOD AND IT IS 27-14 HOUSTON
-The Patriots have a passing game. Maye 15-22 for 182 yards and 2 touchdown passes.
-Henry scored a Y-Slam release. Wide open!
END OF 3RD: TEXANS 27 PATRIOTS 14
4th Quarter
- Defense comes up big once again. Playing hard man
-Maye airmails the flat screen throw and it gets picked. Great play by the Texans.
MIXON 20 YARD TOUCHDOWN: TEXANS 34 PATRIOTS 14 WITH 13;14 LEFT IN THIS ONE.
MAYE TO DOUGLAS 35 YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS: TEXANS 34 PATRIOTS 21:
Maye now 17-of-26 for 220 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Great debut. One of the picks was tipped. Not his fault.
PIERCE 54 YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN: HOUSTON 41 PATRIOTS 21 WITH 7:47 LEFT