Wow... Game 1. Lots of posts with legit concerns about the defense, wrs, OL,. but game 1 usually defies logic in that it often is a projection of preseason rather than a refined representation of a team.
With this in mind, I point to coaches and system structure which prepares a team for this first test with the advantage usually going to belichick and his staff. Also weighing in my mind is home field crowd and possible home field officiating. These effects can snowball a game in pats favor with a few big plays, calls, etc.
Offense I will be looking for some new wrink!es (hopefully 1st rounder Michel) or Patterson making plays off short high percentage passes that get ball out of Brady's hands. James white and gronk also. Texans pass rush is legit so gotta chip and run the ball to get them backing up.
Defense is what I want to see. Tough to expect Watson to play as perfect as last year especially coming off injury, and new wrinkles will be tossed at him also. Pats D has lots of new pieces to implement different schemes while " spinning the dial" of looks to hopefully confuse the young QB. Hopkins is a beast but I'm not overly impressed by the rest of Houston offense. We shall see.. my prediction has flipped from a low scoring contest to pats unleashing their offensive weaponry while controlling Texans... Therefore comfy big win..... IMO
