3 Things to Watch: Texans vs. Patriots Preseason Week 1

Last Thursday was the official opening of the NFL preseason, with the New York Jets taking on the Cleveland Browns kicking things off with the annual Hall of Fame game. This week, the rest of the NFL begins their preseason efforts in earnest.

To open the weekend, we have the Houston Texans traveling north to take on the New England Patriots on Thursday night. Their game kicks off on Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcasted on ABC and NFL Network.

Texans vs. Patriots Preseason Week 1 Betting Odds: Moneyline, Spread, and Total

• Moneyline:
  • Texans: -135
  • Patriots: +115
• Spread: Texans -2.5 (-110)
• Total: 38.5

Texans vs. Patriots Preseason Game Analysis

1. A First Glance at C.J. Stroud

Thursday night will be the league's first look at new Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who the team selected with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Ohio State signal caller put up some truly elite numbers in his two seasons as the team's starter, amassing 8,123 yards, 85 scores, and just 12 interceptions in his 25 games for the Buckeyes.

New Texans head coach Demeco Ryans confirmed earlier in the week that Stroud would be the team's starting quarterback for their first preseason game of the year, which coincided with Stroud topping the team's initial depth chart of the season. At this point, most of us know better than to trust preseason depth charts, and the Texans have previously spoken about making Stroud earn the top spot, but it is feeling safer and safer to assume that Stroud will become the team's Week 1 starter come September. We should see him play at least a couple of full drives for Houston on Thursday.

There are high hopes for the rookie quarterback this year. Stroud's +900 Offensive Rookie of the Year betting odds rank third in this year's draft class behind only Bijan Robinson (+300) and Bryce Young (+420). There's optimism around Stroud in his debut campaign despite the Texans' +1000 odds ranking fourth in the AFC South's NFL divisional betting odds market.

2. Can Will Anderson Live Up to Expectations?

After selecting Stroud with the second-overall pick, the Texans made the shocking draft night move to trade up to the third-overall pick to select former Alabama Crimson Tide pass-rusher Will Anderson. The move cost the Texans a substantial amount of future draft capital, including the 12th and 33rd overall picks of that draft as well as a 2024 1st and a 2024 3rd. On Thursday night, we should expect to see Anderson see his first live reps of NFL action.

Anderson is a strong favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award this season. His +400 DROY Betting Odds lead the pack. It's easy to see why; Anderson turned in an insane 17.5 sacks with 31 tackles for loss in his second season at Alabama and put up two other productive seasons around that elite campaign. On Thursday night, Anderson will get his first live action against real opposing linemen and could feast on a banged-up Patriots offensive line.

3. Can the Pats Field a Competent Offense?

The Patriots' offense was an utter disaster in 2022. Curiously led by former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia after a preseason battle with former special teams coordinator Joe Judge, the Pats' offense mustered the sixth-fewest offensive touchdowns (31) in the entire NFL last season. This year, the team was able to pry new (and old) offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien away from Alabama in hopes of fielding a functioning offense in 2023.

O'Brien's most recent stints in the NFL -- coincidentally as the head coach of his Thursday night opponents -- generated some high-powered offenses over the years. He'll be tasked with managing the development of third-year starting quarterback Mac Jones, whose promising rookie season has since been overshadowed by last year's struggles.

We likely won't see too much of the starting offense in the team's preseason opener, but it will be worth watching to see how the Patriots' offensive scheme ends up unfolding.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.