The National Football League and its constant drama is getting out of control.

And so are the picks in this column.

We’re so glad the officiating stunk for Patriots-Chiefs last week and the Kraft Productions film crew royally screwed up in filming the Cincinnati Bengals sideline vs. the Browns.

That took all the focus away from the fact that yours truly went 1-6 in his picks, no spread involved. Yep. One win. Six losses.

This late in the season, that’s inexcusable – just like the miscues by the officials and the film crew, but thankfully under the radar.

Of course we say all this tongue in cheek – with regard to the picks, that is. The film mess was simple: do a story on the scout, and show what the scout is watching. Except they’re not allowed to do the latter by rule, and weren’t informed of that. No conspiracy here, so let’s stop being ridiculous. But we had to love Bengals coach Zac Taylor’s responses to questions about the whole film fiasco that he reportedly made a huge deal about in private.

“I have no comment on that,” he said over and over. And then when asked why no comment after blowing this thing way high, he said, “Because this is a tough opponent right now, and we’re devoiting all of our time to making sure we’re prepared. And so that’s where all of our focus has been on.”

Yeah, OK. He said he had no regrets, and felt that his 1-12 team that has given up on less point (25) per game than the Patriots have scored (26) is ready to go.

“Our team does a great job of focusing on what’s imortant and part of playing in the NFL is eing able to eliminate distractions,” Taylor, in his first season at the Bengals helm, said. “And so, they can come in a lot of different forms – injuries, anything that can happen off the field – and I’ve been really proud of the way that our guys have focused this week.”

That’s good, but it won’t make a difference. And now let’s see if we can focus to a better week of picks. The bar, like that of the Bengals, is set pretty low:

PATRIOTS 30, BENGALS 3

Really, don’t be surprised if this is a shutout. The Patriots are back to playing a sub-varsity schedule, and it may not matter that left tackle Isaiah Wynn has been battling and eye injury. This could be the game that rookie receivers Jakobi Meyers and N’Keal Harry break out. As long as the refs don’t get in the way. Andy Dalton gets picked in this one.

TEXANS 27, TITANS 24

You can’t stop Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill (391 passing yards last week), you can only contain him. Old friend Mike Vrabel was hired as the Titans coach to win games like this. However, the Texans, as much as last Sunday was a debacle, have yet to lose back-to-back games this season and Deshaun Watson has great numbers in games after losses. Go with the trend.

BILLS 20, STEELERS 16

Could be the best game of the day/night. The Bills on Sunday Night Football? Don’t adjust your set. While we feel Mike Tomlin should be the Coach of the Year for what he’s done with backup QBs. Does it end now? Devlin Hodges is becoming a cult figure in Pittsburgh, but against this Buffalo defense, if it walks like a Duck, talks like a Duck, well, it’s a duck. Let’s get an AFC East showdown at Gillette next Saturday.

COWBOYS 24, RAMS 17

Cowboys take the opening kickoff and drive down the field for a TD. Then they don’t score the rest of the half. But this is where the similarity to the last couple of weeks ends. The Rams have a letdown, Dak Prescott starts slinging it and Jerry’s World gets a light brighter.

PACKERS 23, BEARS 13

Mitch Trubisky isn’t as bad as he’s been made out to be and when he runs he plays well. He’ll run against Green Bay but so will Aaron Rodgers, and he’s better at both throwing and running. Ted Phillips’ Bears this year are an 8-8 team.

VIKINGS 34, CHARGERS 17

The L.A.-Should-Be-In-San Diego Chargers won’t score 45 points against this Minnesota defense, not like they lit up the dysfunctional Jaguars last week. Vikings still have eyes on the NFC South division title, and the Chargers will start to have eyes on the off-season.

SAINTS 33, COLTS 21

It was a wildly entertaining game between the Niners and Saints in the Dome last week, wasn’t it? Imagine how loud ESPN’s Joe Tessitore would have gotten if he were calling that one? Well, he’ll be calling this one on Monday night, and the Saints will score aplenty while Indy’s hopes for a magical post-Luck season are pretty much dashed. Wear earplugs.

LAST WEEK: 1-6

SEASON: 61-38

Tom King may be reached at 594-1251 or tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).

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