NFL Picks: Patriots Vs. Texans ‘Thursday Night Football’ Odds, Predictions
Editor’s note: NESN.com’s Mike Cole, Ricky Doyle and Andre Khatchaturian deliver their NFL picks every Thursday of the season, and here’s who they like in the Houston Texans-New England Patriots Week 3 game, with the line from OddsShark.
(-2) Houston Texans (2-0) at New England Patriots (2-0), 8:25 p.m. ET
Mike: Patriots. I just can’t do it. I can’t pick against Bill Belichick at home getting points. His teams seem to live for these “backs against the wall, no one believes in us” scenarios, so screw it. Let’s go with New England.
Ricky: Patriots. The Patriots likely will start a rookie quarterback (Jacoby Brissett) against a very imposing Texans defense. Everything points to Houston winning this game … which obviously means Belichick and Co. will find a way, right? This could be the week we learn the real value of Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.
Andre: Texans. The Pats have been home underdogs just three times in the last 11 seasons. They?ve won all three games by an average of 17 points. But that was with Tom Brady under center. They?ve also allowed 6.7 yards per play defensively this season. That — along with a third-string QB and a short week for Belichick to prepare — isn?t going to fly against Houston.
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Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
