They’re now the only game in town when you look at the Big Four (Sorry Revs).

The spotlight always shines on the New England Patriots, but now, after an unusual stretch where the Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox have all been active and playing or getting ready to play at the same time, all the focus now is on the Patriots. The New England Revolution, the weak fifth sister, aren’t in this conversation, but they do have a following. Just not enough of one.

But let’s face it, this has become a football town. The Bruins and Celtics won’t be starting now like usual thanks to the COVID flip-flop of seasons. No Sox playoffs. And now the Patriots play their biggest game of the season, as early as it may be, at the Kansas City Chiefs.

CBS must’ve fought like heck to keep this from NBC and Sunday Night Football.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid won’t have to worry about a guy named Brady but he sees what the Patriots have done with Cam Newton.

“We saw what Josh (Pats offensive coordinator McDaniels) did with Tim Tebow (in Denver) and now we’re seeing it with Cam,” Reid said. “He’s just doing it a little different because Cam has an unbelievable arm and has probably a little better feel for the pass game right now than what Tim did.

“He’s using every factor of Cam. I think Cam’s enjoying that and they’re playing really good football there.”

But even Newton says he enjoys watching Chiefs QB Pat Mahomes play. “It’s fun to watch,” he said. “…I love it.”

In other words, sit back and enjoy.

Other than the Pats-Chiefs, not a lot of must-see TV this weekend, compared to last week, when we finally got out of the early season doldrums with a near-perfect week:

CHIEFS 34, PATRIOTS 31

This New England defense won’t stop Mahomes, but it will find a way to contain him – sort of. Sooner or later that fades. And, like the game in Seattle a couple of weeks ago, Newton will inject some energy into the Patriots by being a key cog in a ball control offense. Matching points with the Chiefs is a tough chore, but Patriots come close because they have the better defense.

RAIDERS 30, BILLS 27

Why do we get the feeling the bill is coming due for the Bills? They escaped trouble with the Rams last week, but the Raiders seemed like a different team in Vegas than they did in Foxboro. Not a confident pick, but Josh Allen can’t be this good, can he?

BENGALS 27, JAGS 24

Why this lousy game? Besides the first two and the already played Denver-Jets debacle, this is the only other all-AFC contest, thanks to no Steelers-Titans. Joe Burrow won’t get many wins this season, but this should be one of them as the Jacksonville defense stinks more than Cincinnati’s.

SAINTS 30, LIONS 16

This looks like it’s going to be the final year not just for old friend Matt Patricia in Detroit, but the guy who hired him, his buddy Bob Quinn. Detroit’s defense is horrible, giving up an average of 30.7 points a game, and Drew Brees will pick it apart.

RAMS 30, GIANTS 13

New York football has really never been this bad, it seems. Former Patriots assistant Joe Judge is a good coach, but just needs time – and bette players. Have to admit, am a bit surprised on how well the Rams have played, even in defeat. No defeat this week as Aaron Donald eats the Jints’ woeful offensive line alive.

TEXANS 30, VIKINGS 24

Two 0-3 teams which were playoff teams a year ago. The Texans won’t have Bill O’Brien to kick around much longer if they don’t win this one, while Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer got a three year extension, Deshaun Watson over Kirk Cousins.

BUCCANEERS 28, CHARGERS 17

It’s the old vs. the new, Tom Brady vs. L.A. rookie Justin Herbert. The GOAT teaches the new kid a few tricks or two as Tompa Bay goes to 3-1 and all that drama dies down.

LAST WEEK: 6-1

SEASON RECORD: 13-8

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

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