Texans (+3) over CHARGERS: Los Angeles injuries make it more difficult than usual for favorite to establish comfortable margins, even at home, in their modest temporary sanctuary in Carson, Calif. Texans’ frantic dealings heading into this season highlighted Houston’s fervent desire to win now. Photo finish!

Giants (+6½) over BUCCANEERS: Disinclined to embrace first-time-starting rookie quarterbacks, but we’re not insisting Duke’s Daniel Jones wins this outright. Bucs improved, but hosts are better team away from the Pirate Ship. Jones has “something,” if coaches program Saquon Barkley to help.

PATRIOTS (-23) over Jets: Bill Belichick has embraced “humiliate the Jets, if you can” mode at Foxborough over the past few seasons, and Friday’s release of Antonio Brown shouldn’t diminish Pats’ knockout power. Market is grotesque, and next QB up, Luke Falk, might develop, but this is a rough trial by fire.

PACKERS (-7¹/₂) over Broncos: For Green Bay to hold Minnesota safe, even in fallback mode after Aaron Rodgers applied the knockout three-TD hammer, was impressive. Packers are in a look-ahead spot (Eagles on Thursday), but they don’t have to travel — and Joe Flacco apparently isn’t the answer at QB for foes.

EAGLES (-6) over Lions: Neither DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery nor Dallas Goedert came out 100 percent sound from Monday night’s bloodbath vs. the Falcons. This thins Eagles’ skill base considerably. Jeffrey hasn’t practiced, and is unlikely. Still, lean Philly, off huge Lions effort vs. Chargers last week.

Ravens (+6) over CHIEFS: Aside from the Patriots, this is top-shelf AFC, and if Kansas City’s field-goal win at this site in December is indicative, we’re in for more nail-biting. Talented Ravens are hitting on all cylinders; and with Lamar Jackson seldom get blown out.

BILLS (-6) over Bengals: This appears stiff tariff on favorites, who haven’t been league bully since early ’90s, and Cincinnati hasn’t looked woebegone (though winless) — but wildly unbalanced offenses don’t fare well in the NFL, and Bills have enjoyable history stampeding the pass-happy.

COLTS (-1¹/₂) over Falcons: Colts QB Jacoby Brissett’s gotten off to a respectable start this season (his fourth), though he boasts sketchy history against better competition. Colts have dominated series, and Falcons paid heavy injury price in Sunday-night “body-bag” win over Philly.

VIKINGS (-9) over Raiders: Silver and Black’s five-game Death March commences. Asking for journey to kick off favorably is problematic, given Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer’s sterling record against lesser sides which seldom see his troops. Only Vikings’ deliberate style may keep visitors close.

Cowboys (-22½) over DOLPHINS: Giddy Cowboys faithful must be reminded that their opening victims (the Giants and Redskins) are both at low ebbs. Market results in this price range hinge on player/coaching attitudes. Are “comfortable” margins enough?

CARDINALS (-2¹/₂) over Panthers: Carolina’s sustained multi-season spread skid is directly related to Cam Newton’s physical decline. Newton is out (and TE Greg Olsen is doubtful), leaving Panthers’ undrafted QB Kyle Allen to face Cards’ No. 1-overall draft pick Kyler Murray.

SEAHAWKS (-4) over Saints: Surgery on Drew Brees’ torn ligament in his thumb was successful this week, but that leaves New Orleans without guiding light until late October, putting Teddy Bridgewater (if not Taysom Hill) on the hot seat. That doesn’t auger well for injury-riddled visitors against focused Seahawks side that has survived two narrow escapes.

49ERS (-6½) over Steelers: Current Pittsburgh QB stand-in Mason Rudolph’s name rings bell, since namesake’s PGA career was highlighted by couple of narrow high-profile Tour victories over Jack Nicklaus in the Thunderbird Classic and New Orleans Open tourneys in mid-’60s. With no Ben Roethlisberger for Stillers, and RB James Conner nursing a knee injury, sound Niners will sustain climb vs. pass-happy foe.

Rams (-3) over BROWNS: The league’s original Cleveland franchise visits Northern Ohio’s latest, seeking to match the magic conjured up by QB Otto Graham in the old All-America Football Conference. Give Rams full marks for punishing Saints, while we await a Nick Chubb/Odell Beckham Jr. win over a legitimate side.

Monday

Bears (-4) over REDSKINS: The Chicago outfit eagerly awaits QB Mitchell Trubisky to step up and devour an NFL inferior. Visitors should perk up, based on Washington’s pathetic Monday night history, which has featured but two narrow home divisional wins in their past dozen tries, Redskins’ modest defense figures to give way — again.

Last week: 8-7. Season: 14-16.