Heading into Week 3 against the Houston Texans, the New England Patriots found themselves in new territory for the second time this season, rookie and third string Jacoby Brissett named the starting quarterback following a shoulder injury to Jimmy Garoppolo.
For the first time in two seasons, the Patriots were underdogs at home.
The @Patriots are 2-2.5 underdogs vs. Houston on Thursday; only 3rd time home Dogs since 2005.
— Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) September 19, 2016
As every Bill Belichick coached team, the Patriots took the underdog role as motivation fuel.
Still doubting us, it's like they never learn. Ready to rep the #Patriots Red, White and Blue tonight in, primetime @TideNFL#Ourcolors pic.twitter.com/XUISb3KNC7
— Malcolm CB Butler (@Mac_BZ) September 22, 2016
Thursday Night Football is Color Rush night, as the Patriots debuted new uniforms for the first time since 2003.
Inside the #Patriots locker room before tonight's #ColorRush #TNF game. pic.twitter.com/TqOSOFChM4
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKuM564hCDi/?taken-by=mac_bz&hl=en
https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/778976149502365696
thursday night is dark and full of terrors #TNF #Patriots pic.twitter.com/GrVsU2QPjV
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) September 22, 2016
Before the game, The Patriots welcomed back former tackle Vince Wilfork and honored him with a video tribute.
Watch Thursday's in-stadium tribute to @wilfork75: https://t.co/vZllxcUJ5p pic.twitter.com/yqWIBeraFc
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 26, 2016
.@wilfork75 waves and acknowledges the crowd. Nice moment.
— Christopher Price (@cpriceglobe) September 23, 2016
Reading through all the tweets thank you all for all the love from ALL sides it means a lot
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) September 24, 2016
J. Kraft on @wilfork75: "I love the guy. He’ll always be a Patriot, I can’t wait until we induct him into the Hall." (via @985TheSportsHub)
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 22, 2016
Wilfork wasn’t the only former Patriot on the Texans sideline.
The Patriots reunion is real tonight:
Romeo Crennel
George Godsey
Bill O'Brien
Larry Izzo
Mike Vrabel
Vince Wilfork#TNF— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) September 23, 2016
With the game underway, Jacoby Brissett wasted no time helping get the Patriots an early 10 point lead with an incredible 27 yard run for his first career NFL touchdown.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/779124866058289152
Brissett would finish 11/19 for 103 yards passing, while not eye popping numbers, his teammate, running back LeGarrette Blount took control the rest of game for the Patriots offense on the ground.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/779173394298220545
#TNF pic.twitter.com/yyLWea5eys
— Madden NFL 24 (@EAMaddenNFL) September 23, 2016
With 2 rushing touchdowns, and 105 yards. Blount helped the underdog Patriots turn the game into a rout.
Get you a man that loves you as much as LeGarrette Blount loves the minutemen pic.twitter.com/BOhl5AEj0P
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 23, 2016
OFFENSE! DEFENSE! SPECIAL TEAMS! GREAT TEAM WIN FELLAS!!! #PatsNation pic.twitter.com/GaU66hRPX9
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) September 25, 2016
27 unanswered points for the Patriots as the defense bounced back from a rough 4th quarter against Miami last week to earn their first shutout victory since December 2012.
Linebacker Jamie Collins lead the way, stifling Texans head coach Bill O’Briens offense all night long.
By the way, Jamie Collins has 13 tackles tonight
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/779130012289019904
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKvklijhtBE/?taken-by=j_collins91&hl=en
Jamie Collins out here ballin #HOUvsNE #Patriots pic.twitter.com/WproiJlb97
— rick strom (@RickStrom) September 23, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK07jGYDJKE/?taken-by=jabaalsheard
The Patriots would move on to 3-0 on the season without Tom Brady, stunning the Texans and their Twitter account.
Trick Question #HOUvsNE #TNF pic.twitter.com/T2VHIWyXzG
— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) September 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/JOEL9ONE/status/779181226066374656
Great 1st start Jacoby!! You played lights out lil bro!! pic.twitter.com/Ux0h1iJSlS
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) September 25, 2016
From @ESPNStatsInfo: LeGarrette Blount w/ 4 rush TDs in 1st 3 games. Ties Marion Butts ('94)/Corey Dillon ('05) for most on NE thru 3 games.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/779251029321850880
https://twitter.com/TomBradysEgo/status/779128063921709058
Last but not least, finish the week with the latest edition of the TB Times.
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