The New England Patriots will be playing the Houston Texans in their second preseason game. Here is our live tracker to keep you updated on the latest news from the game.
After losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their first preseason game, the New England Patriots will be looking to improve against the Houston Texans.
While the Patriots didn’t play any of their starters of veterans in Week 1, they will be playing them against the Texans. This week, the Patriots once again held joint practices, as this time they were in Houston for the week.
These joint practices certainly help the Patriots prepare for the regular season. However, the game against the Texans will get them some true full speed action.
For Tom Brady, this will likely be his first game since the Super Bowl, as he is expected to play. This will also mark the first time that we get to see Brandin Cooks on the field for the Patriots. Cooks was one of the biggest acquisitions the Patriots made in a busy offseason. Expect to see Brady and Cooks try to continue building their chemistry in game action.
As expected, the Patriots will likely be without Rob Gronkowski against the Texans. Gronkowski rarely plays in the preseason, and he likely won’t this year as the team wants to make sure he is healthy for the regular season.
Even though the starters are expected to play against the Texans, there will still be plenty of time to see the backups. With the coaching staff still needing to trim the roster down a bit, we might get a chance to see some second and third stringers mixed in with the first unit to see what they can do against better competition.
Next: 3 Players to watch vs. Houston Texans
While there isn’t an exact plan for the starters, it would be safe to assume we will see them for about a quarter tonight. Be sure to follow along with us for all of the latest news and notes during the game!
Last update: 11:21 PM EST
Final score: Texans 27, #Patriots 23. #NEvsHOU pic.twitter.com/R0TWcHLlcD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
That'll do it, #Patriots lose 27-23
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
.@JBrissett12 in at quarterback. #NEvsHOU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Garoppolo gets intercepted and the Texans' offense wastes no time putting up a TD #Patriots
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
.@ASTATE_8 finds the end zone for the second straight week!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
25 yards from Garoppolo to Foster, and the #Patriots lead 23-20. #NEvsHOU
Jimmy G to Foster for a TD! #Patriots back on top
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
After three quarters, #Patriots trail by 4
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
#Patriots now trail by 4 after a FG
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
#Patriots injury update: Elandon Roberts (rib) will not return. #NEvsHOU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Elandon Roberts is now being carted to the locker room. Appears to be in significant pain.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 20, 2017
Watson up the middle scores a TD for the Texans. #Patriots trail 17-16
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
Elandon Roberts down on the field. Attended to by trainers.
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 20, 2017
Another FG for Gostkowski. #Patriots take a 16-10 lead
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
Couple real good grip it and rip it throws by Garoppolo.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 20, 2017
Harvey Langi and Kony Ealy have played virtually the whole game. Not a lot of depth there, but coaches are getting a long look at both.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) August 20, 2017
Jimmy Garoppolo stays in at QB to start 2nd half. Bolden is the RB.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) August 20, 2017
Halftime in Houston. #NEvsHOU pic.twitter.com/qt7i5vawC6
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Gostkowski's 51-yard field goal gives the #Patriots a 13-10 lead with 1:55 remaining in the half. #NEvsHOU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Between the kickoff return, and that run up the middle, seeing more of that old explosion from RB Dion Lewis.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 20, 2017
FG is good. #Patriots take a 10-7 lead
— Musket Fire (@Musket_Fire) August 20, 2017
Jimmy Garoppolo in at quarterback for the #Patriots. #NEvsHOU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Big cheer here from the Texans crowd as Deshaun Watson takes over for Tom Savage.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 20, 2017
Brady ➡ Burkhead.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
TOUCHDOWN. #NEvsHOU
Pass ruled incomplete. Brady back out there.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 20, 2017
#Texans score first on a 2-yard TD pass from Tom Savage to Jaelen Strong.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Houston leads 7-0. #NEvsHOU
JJ Watt dropped Rex Burkhead for a loss after making Joe Thuney look silly then nearly threw Marcus Cannon into Tom Brady. So he's back.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 20, 2017
#Patriots offensive starters: Brady, Burkhead, Develin, Edelman, Cooks, Gronkowski, Cannon, Mason, Andrews, Thuney, Fleming. #NEvsHOU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Rob Gronkowski has taken the huddle as the offense takes the field. His first preseason action since 2012.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 20, 2017
Patriots call heads. Coin comes up tails. Texans win the toss. Texans will receive to open the game.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 20, 2017
Patriots have taken the field. Rob Gronkowski has his arm pad on... Playing in the preseason for the first time in forever? pic.twitter.com/R70ouDp2UD
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 19, 2017
Texans resting Jadeveon Clowney against Patriots https://t.co/ckQI0nvcNT via @houstonchron
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 19, 2017
Nate Solder, Mike Gillislee highlight list of Patriots who will be held out vs. Texans https://t.co/dRyuJDAHfB
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) August 19, 2017
Cam Fleming gets the start at LT in warmups.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) August 19, 2017
Out: Slater, Gillislee, BKing, Daniels, Davis, Hightower, McClellin, Garcia, Waddle, Jelks, Solder, Lengel, Wise, Grissom, Rivers.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 19, 2017
Game ready. #NEvsHOU pic.twitter.com/h6qlUAeoP7
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 19, 2017