The beat goes on for the Patriots.
LeGarrette Blount ran for two touchdowns, the defense dominated and the Patriots turned two special teams fumble recoveries into a pair of touchdowns Thursday night. The Texans simply threw short passes and took their beating in what became a 27-0 Patriots victory.
It was only 10-0 at halftime, but the Texans didn’t cross the 50-yard line until the final 90 seconds of the third quarter.
Both of Blount’s touchdown runs came in the second half. The Texans were out of gas because they couldn’t move the ball and couldn’t get out of their own way. Two different Texans players fumbled kickoffs deep in Patriots’ territory following field goals.
Blount ran for 105 yards. He’s scored a touchdown in all three games this season.
The Patriots move to 3-0 despite having to start rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was far from spectacular but didn’t turn the ball over and ran 27 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. The 2-1 Texans, who were handing off on third and 16 in the fourth quarter so they could punt, see just how far they are from being among the AFC’s elite.
It was the first shutout for the Patriots since 2012. The Texans hadn’t been shut out in the regular season since 2003.
Brissett was 11-of-19 passing for 103 yards. Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was 24-of-41 for 196 yards. He was sacked twice and intercepted once.