Getting behind the Patriots is a combination that new starting QB Drake Maye will provide a spark and a downfield passing attack New England lacked with Jacoby Brissett and the Texans being overpriced without Nico Collins and possibly Joe Mixon again.

This is the largest the Texans have been favored during the two-year DeMeco Ryans era. And it comes on the road. 

It's Houston's first game without Collins, who leads the NFL in receiving yards. It's a big loss because the Texans lack a reliable ground attack if Mixon has to miss another week. 

Maye gives the Patriots an element of surprise since this is his first NFL start. He'll have the home crowd on his side. 

The Patriots are bottom-three bad. But they will be up for this game while the Texans are in a flat spot off consecutive satisfying victories against the Bills and Jaguars. 

Houston's four victories have been by an average of 3.7 points.