TEXANS AT PATS

1 p.m., Pats by 6, 51½

HANK’S HONEYS: As mentioned above, the Patriots have become slow starters as of late as Bill Belichick seeks to find the right combinations while hoping Tom Brady can pull things out because he’s Tom Brady. They have failed to cover in four of their last five season openers and have lost two of them outright, including last year’s debacle against KC. The Texans come into the game with their two superstars healthy again in Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt, and before injuries the them derailed, Houston was looking like a playoff contender a year ago. Watson went toe-totoe with Tom Terrific last year and almost pulled off an upset. The Patriots’ defense – awful giving up yards, better giving up points – is still its Achilles Heel.

IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Texans and the under