It’s getting worse around the National Football League.

As it is just about everywhere else.

COVID-19 has forced the move of the Steelers-Ravens game to Tuesday night, setting off another chain reaction of moving games the following week.

Other teams had to shut down facilities this past week as a precaution.

The point being, could we be moving closer to a Week 18? That would potentially be good news for your New England Patriots, because that would possibly add an eighth playoff team in each conference.

Because, let’s face it, the Patriots need all the help they can get. They won’t have to deal with future Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald, a COVID casualty. DeAndre Hopkins, though, will be there and as Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday, Hopkins “shows no signs of slowing down or being any less productive than what we saw from him in Houston.”

Belichick also said that sometimes struggling QB Cam Newton is doing a better job of taking care of the ball, etc. He is definitely trying to pick up his QB’s confidence as this very different season hits the home stretch, six games to play.

“He’s done a great job of protecting the ball,” Belichick said. “Last week, to have the yardage throwing that he had and not have dangerous throws or contested throws is a real testament to his ability to read the defense and get the ball to the receivers that are open.”

No question the Patriots are trying to pump up Newton, as they are seeing their third straight running QB today while having one of their own.

Remember, it was Newton’s positive COVID test that started the Patriots’ tailspin to 4-6. Let’s see what they can do from here on out. Hopefully, better than we did with our picks last week:

PATRIOTS 24, CARDINALS 21

Kyler Murray will certainly give the Patriots ‘ defense fits, but remember, he has a bad shoulder. Things are so inconsistent for New England, they really need to win every game, perhaps win out. It’s their “on” week.

TITANS 23, COLTS 17

OK, Mike Vrabel, get back to what you did best last year and did in the overtime last week vs. the Ravens: Take the ball out of Ryan Tannehill’s hands and put it in the hands of Derrick Henry. Time for a push.

BILLS 27, CHARGERS 14

We should be picking the Ravens-Steelers but who knows if that game even gets played Tuesday. So why not the Pats’ opponent next week. Chargers who have blown three late leads this year won’t do it against the Bills, who we say are going to eventually win the AFC East.

PACKERS 28, BEARS 13

Bears are starting Mitch Trubisky. Enough said there, right? But the Pack haven’t lost two in a row all season, and it’s highly doubtful they will reach that point after Sunday night.

SEAHAWKS 27, EAGLES 24

This could be a very, very intense game. The heat is being turned up on Philly coach Doug Pederson, he needs a win. The Seahawks can’t defend, but they have enough experience chasing Russell Wilson around in practice they should be able to handle Eagle QB Carson Wentz.

CHIEFS 33, BUCS 30

Oh, up and down the field they will go, but right after Tom Brady finds Rob Gronkowski with a minute to go in the end zone for the lead, back comes Patrick Mahomes for a second straight week to hit Travis Kelce for the game winner. An old rivalry renewed between players, not teams.

SAINTS 16, BRONCOS 3

We were all set to pick against the Who Dats. Then the Broncos had all four quarterbacks on the roster shelved due to either positive tests or contact tracing, and may start one of their wide receivers at QB. The Saints have Taysom Hill, and he certainly is the best QB on the field since Drew Brees won’t play. Of course, will this game take place? Probably.

LAST WEEK: 3-4

SEASON RECORD: 48-28

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

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