In Thursday night’s preseason showdown, the Houston Texans showcased their prowess by restricting the New England Patriots to a mere 180 total yards, rounding off the night with a 20-9 victory in Foxborough, Mass.
FILE PHOTO; Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws a pass over New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports/File photo
The Patriots started the game with a promising 44-yard field goal by Nick Folk, following an interception by Jalen Mills on rookie C.J. Stroud’s opening pass. However, the tide turned in the Texans’ favor as they led the Patriots 7-3 into halftime, thanks to Davis Mills’ 6-yard touchdown pass to Nathaniel Dell. Dell made a significant impact with game highs of five catches and 65 yards.
Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 draft, had a rather lackluster performance, finishing 2-for-4 passing for a meager 13 yards. The Texans solidified their lead in the third quarter when Dalton Keene concluded an eight-play, 55-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge, pushing the score to 14-3.
The Texans’ scoring spree continued into the fourth quarter when Case Keenum, on a fourth-and-3 play, tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Alex Bachman, bringing the score to 20-3. The Patriots managed a late-game rally with rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham’s 9-yard run, concluding a 14-play, 75-yard drive. Cunningham also led the Patriots in rushing, with 34 yards on five carries.
Absent from the game was Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones. Bailey Zappe stepped in, completing 12 of 14 passes for 79 yards.
Meanwhile, in the exhibition opener, the Seattle Seahawks, driven by second-team quarterback Drew Lock’s 191-yard, two-touchdown performance, overcame a 10-0 deficit to triumph over the Minnesota Vikings, 24-13.
Nick Mullens initially put the Vikings in the lead with a 10-0 advantage, contributing a 26-yard field goal by Greg Joseph and a 4-yard touchdown pass to Nick Muse. Mullens finished the game with 14 of 20 for 139 yards.
Lock’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Easop Winston Jr. and a 35-yard field goal by Jason Myers brought the Seahawks back into contention, leveling the game at 10-10. After the Vikings regained the lead with a 54-yard field goal by Joseph, Lock responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jake Bobo, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, putting the Seahawks in the lead for the remainder of the game. The Seahawks further extended their lead with a late touchdown from Holton Ahlers to Matt Landers.
