Patriots vs. Texans NFL Preseason: How to Watch, Betting Odds; Mac Playing?

The New England Patriots host the Houston Texans on Thursday night in the first of three preseason exhibition games.

The New England Patriots have not had the recent success they're used to under legendary coach Bill Belichick. Somehow the six-time Super Bowl champion franchise has managed a record of just 25-25 since 2020. That's not typical for Belichick-led Patriots teams, and he's begun to feel some heat emanating from his coaching chair.

The Houston Texans are at a crossroads of sorts after making another coaching change for the third time in as many seasons. Former Texans standout linebacker DeMeco Ryans takes over the helm of a team that went 3-13-1 last season and that has won just 10 games over the past three seasons.

Both teams have young quarterbacks, as Houston ushers in the C.J. Stroud era as the No. 2 overall pick in last April's NFL Draft, and New England continues to ride the Mac Jones train while second-year signal-caller Bailey Zappe waits in the wings. Jones was the 15th overall pick back in 2021, while Zappe was a fourth-round pick in 2022.

Expectations for the Texans are somewhat low, and maybe only slightly higher for the Patriots. But a good preseason showing might offer some momentum into the regular season and build confidence for some young players.

Make sure to stay with PatriotsCountry.com for all the in-game and post-game updates as New England opens the preseason against the Texans.

WHAT: Houston Texans (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)

WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (65,878)

WHEN: Thursday, August 10, 2023, 7 p.m. ET

TELEVISION: PATRIOTS PRESEASON NETWORK / WBZ-TV, Channel 4 / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

TICKETS: SI Tickets

BETTING: SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Houston Texans -3.5

TOTAL: 38.5

MONEYLINE: Houston Texans -188, New England Patriots +145

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