Have real Pats finally shown up?

They have returned to us.

After a week off, the New England Patriots have returned to let us know whether their pre-bye week success was fact or fiction.

Will we find out with the defending AFC East champion Miami Dolphins (doesn’t that look strange) coming to Gillette Stadium? Perhaps.

But, as we ponder that, we have other games to sift through as we seem to be stuck on a weekly average of two losses:

RAVENS 17, BENGALS 13

The Ravens got back on track against those mighty Broncos. Can they do it on the road? We say yes, because this is a fight for survival in what has been an interesting AFC North Division.

STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 24

Still not completely buying into the Broncos. They had an extra week to prepare against the Ravens and came out flat, and that can sometimes stick with a team. Ben Roethlisberger hangs in there and beats Denver deep and late to squeeze out a win. Sorry, Josh.

GIANTS 23, CHARGERS 21

Their defense appears to be in shambles. But the Giants are home against a team traveling cross country. OK, they were the same for Arizona a couple of weeks ago but this week they get it right. Lose this and a crisis becomes a catastrophe in the Meadowlands.

NINERS 31, TITANS 17

Sooner or later, San Francisco is going to get it right. The NFC West is up for grabs and if they can’t beat a 1-6 team at home then they don’t deserve to be in that mix. You can bet that’s what Mike Singletary is telling his team. Big day for 49ers running back Frank Gore ahead.

BEARS 14, ARIZONA 9

The Cards will get stuck playing Da Bears’ game, especially in the Windy City. Look for Kurt Warner to be under siege.

After all, Arizona can still afford to lose with the division its in. The Bears can’t, and they return to their old style of toughing games out.

EAGLES 31, COWBOYS 27

Great prime time games this week, and this could be the best one. A win and Philly could assert itself as the team to beat in the NFC East, which they really showed with last week’s thorough domination of the Giants. Donovan McNabb will be under some pressure, but he’ll elude it to pace an Eagle team that will score at least six points on defense alone. Call it the Romo factor.

PATRIOTS 24, DOLPHINS 14

Ahhh, the pick you’ve been waiting for. How about this stat: Miami has given up eight pass plays of 40 yards or more.

The Patriots offense won’t thrive like it has, but Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker & Co. will add to that Dolphins defensive stat, and that will be enough to pull out a tough AFC East win.

LAST WEEK: 4-2

SEASON RECORD: 36-19

Tom King can be reached at 594-6468 or tking@nashuatelegraph.com.