Texans vs. Patriots: The 2018 Season Begins

FOXBOROUGH, MA -- The Houston Texans will kick off their 2018 season on the road against the New England Patriots at noon on Sunday, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions from the 2017 season.

Is Deshaun Watson fully recovered from his ACL injury? Will J.J. Watt play with the same intensity he did to become the 3-time defensive player of the year? Can the offensive line keep their franchise quarterback healthy this season?

There's fairly good chance the Houston Texans won't know the answers to some of those questions until close to mid-season. There aren't as many unanswered questions in New England.

Tom Brady, who turned 41-years-old in August, is still the best quarterback in the NFL and is considered by many to be the best quarterback ever in NFL history.

His favorite target, Tight end Rob Gronkowski, is back for another season after briefly considering retirement. Of course, it hardly matters who's catching Brady's passes.

So who's gonna win this one? Last year, Watson earned Brady's respect in a close 36-33 win for the Pats. A healthy Houston Texans team is always scary, especially if they are firing on all cylinders.

If Watson is hot, the offensive line plays complementary football, and the defense, led by Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and Jadeveon Clowney are pressuring the Patriot offense, then it could be a long day for the Pats in New England.

The Patriots are tough at home and tough on the road. It never seems to matter where or whom they are playing, and they are nearly always the favorite, as long as Brady is under center.

Texans fan shouldn't feel terrible losing their season opener in Foxborough. Of course, if they somehow win this one, brace yourself for all the hype.

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Image: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans after the Patriots defeat the Texans 36-33 at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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