For Houston Texans fans salivating for the preseason, the wait is finally over. For fans awaiting for the games that count, those don’t start until Sept. 10.
The Texans take on the New England Patriots for their first preseason game of 2023 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The Texans have not played at Gillette Stadium since Week 1, 2018, when Bill O’Brien was the coach. O’Brien will be there tonight, but, much to the relief of Texans fans, as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator.
Clutch City sports fans will get a preview of a new dawn in Texans history. DeMeco Ryans makes his coaching debut, and quarterback C.J. Stroud will see the first action on offense. Fellow first-rounder Will Anderson will also get the nod at defensive end.
How to watch
Houston Texans at New England Patriots — Thursday, Aug. 10, 6:00 p.m. CT
TV channel: ABC-13 (KTRK-TV)
Live stream: FuboTV
Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Forecast: Forecast: Isolated thunderstorms, 72 degrees, 7 mph wind
Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @Texans_Thoughts, @JohnHCrumpler)
Pregame
According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans are going to play the majority of their healthy players. Expect safety Jimmie Ward, defensive end Jerry Hughes, and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to be held out:
#Texans plan to play majority of healthy players with a few veterans expected to be held out, including Jimmie Ward, Jerry Hughes, Sheldon Rankins. Would be surprised if Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil plays at all. Several starters set to have very short workload. @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 10, 2023
First quarter
15:00 — Texans get the ball on offense first.
11:51 — At least it was preseason. Stroud’s first drive went six plays with no yards and ended with an interception. CB Jalen Mills picked off Stroud on a third-and-21 from the Houston 25. What set Houston back was a sack on first-and-10 from the Texans’ 36-yard line after they had just picked up third-and-1. RB Devin Singletary took all the carries for Houston.
10:28 — LB Denzel Perryman gets a key third down sack, but it may have been assisted:
Will Anderson won't get the sack, but he caused it. #Texans rookie nearly goes untouched, forces Zappe inside for Denzel Perryman to have his "Welcome to Houston" moment.
Nice job by JG also to close to pocket on the right side.
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) August 10, 2023
9:43 — K Nick Folk hits a 44-yard field goal. Patriots, 3-0
1:52 — QB Davis Mills checks in for the Texans’ third drive.
1st Qtr Analysis:
Right Tackle is an issue…
Stroud didn’t look bad…Didn’t look good…Looked like a rookie…
Defensive calls are nice even if they are generic right now..
Mills…#Sarge #TexansWire— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 10, 2023
Second quarter
8:40 — Facing a second-and-9 from the New England 46-yard line, Mills fumbles the ball, and New England recovers at the Texans’ 49-yard line.
0:12 — This is one way to fire up the fans: Rookie WR Tank Dell catches a 6-yard pass from Mills for a touchdown. Extra point is good. 7-3, Texans
We can’t stop watching 😤 pic.twitter.com/4G7a0nRppF
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 11, 2023
If at first you don't succeed… @TankDell4
📺: #HOUvsNE on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bBFpXewtKp pic.twitter.com/BNUJYeqrX7— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2023
Third quarter
DeMeco on his first half as a Head Coach 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/UMbZq7oPDq
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 11, 2023
11:58 — Texans switch to QB Case Keenum. Mills went 9-of-12 for 99 yards, a touchdown, and a 126.7 passer rating.
7:28 — TE Dalton Keene rushes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. The K Jake Bates extra point is no good. 13-3, Texans
Fourth quarter
9:56 — WR Alex Bachman catches a 5-yard touchdown pass from Keenum. The extra point is good. 20-3, Texans
2:00 — QB Malik Cunningham rushes for a 9-yard touchdown. Two-point attempt fails. 20-9, Texans
0:00 — Keenum kneels it out, and the Texans get the first win of the Ryans era.
