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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.
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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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