Texans (+6½) over PATRIOTS: New England is not typically seriously threatened when saddled with this caliber of lay, but with the return to health of Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt, Houston looms a force. Texans coach Bill O’Brien draws on five years of history with the Patriots staff.

GIANTS (+3) over Jaguars: Having brought home the bacon as head coach of the Giants as head coach on two occasions — thanks to a rock-ribbed defense — Jags prez Tom Coughlin looks to bite back at his old bosses for what he deemed a premature dismissal. Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone is looking for zippo turnovers from QB Blake Bortles? Riiiight. Saquon Barkley!

BROWNS (+4) over Steelers: Pittsburgh RB Le’Veon Bell’s contract wrangling will cancel his exposure, in favor of James Conner. Browns primed to make strides. Off but one regular-season win in two years, they’d better! Browns QB Tyrod Taylor’s ball-control strengths — with improved attack tools — should prevail, facing glaring Steeler regression/dissension.

49ers (+6¹/₂) over VIKINGS: As tough a call as there is this week. Jimmy Garoppolo’s come an enormous distance in half a season, and since the guy hasn’t had an loss hung on him yet during his comet-like career, hate to weigh in against him at this chunky spread.

Bengals (+3) over COLTS: Another brutal call, since we dislike playing into the teeth of Andrew Luck’s return as the Colts’ signal-caller, but even with Luck, Indianapolis projects as sub-.500 outfit, and A.J. Green will have his moments catching Andy Dalton’s downfield air strikes.

RAVENS (-7¹/₂) over Bills: Bills are expressing all kinds of confidence in young QB Nathan Peterman, best known for last season’s five-interception outing versus the Chargers. But facing a refreshed Joe Flacco — aided by Willie Snead, Michael Crabtree and John Brown — old class side should prevail.

Buccaneers (+9½) over SAINTS: It would be a good deal to ask Ryan Fitzpatrick to win straight-up against the Who Dats — but Fitzpatrick’s intelligence serves him well in hostile environments, and the home side has been known to get defensively sloppy in projected shootouts. Given receiving talent in play for Tampa Bay, home-side win not assured.

DOLPHINS (+1¹/₂) over Titans: Behind a relatively healthy Marcus Mariota, Tennessee clawed it way to respectability last season. Mariota’s health is paramount — with new coach Mike Vrabel’s revised systems, and fresh faces dotting the coaching staff. But Miami’s defense may be enough.

CHARGERS (-3¹/₂) over Chiefs: Kansas City wiped floor with the Bolts over the past four seasons, as Sunday’s hosts frequently found it difficult to put foes away during that time. The SuperCharger air attack was statistically superlative in ’17. A helping of revenge, finally?

BRONCOS (-3) over Seahawks: You don’t want to find yourself aboard an old class horse (the ‘Hawks), who aren’t what they once were. Case Keenum is not as good as he looked with the Vikings, but he’s an improvement over recent Denver signal-callers, and the local altitude is an early season advantage.

PANTHERS (-3) over Cowboys: Early-week action landed on home chalk — understandable, when you consider the Carolina ground game is aided and abetted by Christian McCaffrey, a stout threat made more dangerous by QB Cam Newton’s mobility. Under Jason Garrett, Cowboys have demonstrated a knack for losing this kind of game.

Redskins (+1) over CARDINALS: Washington’s resurrected history lesson Adrian Peterson to serve at running back for this. Cards cut AP last season, and revenge is an underrated motivator. Both sides tend to get off to slow starts. Lean to QB acquisition Alex Smith, plus a point.

Bears (+7¹/₂) over PACKERS: Believed Pack were a bit overvalued here, even prior to Bears acquisition of Khalil Mack. Once upgraded Bears pieces gel, expect visitors to be more proficient in season’s second half — but Green Bay receiving corps isn’t up to past standards, as Aaron Rodgers knows.

Monday

Jets (+6 ½) over LIONS: Sam Darnold is as young (21 years, 3-plus months) a starting rookie quarterback as anyone’s seen. He’ll absorb a few new looks Monday, as we anticipate a straight-up Lions win behind stalwart Matthew Stafford — but underrated Jets defense competitive.

RAIDERS (+4) over Rams: Ancient Raiders figure to wear out eventually, as Jon Gruden’s apparent disdain for youth figures to catch up with this Khalil Mack-less franchise. But as under-the-lights grass pup, season opener could be feel-good occasion for forlorn dog.

2017 Regular season: 116-106-14.