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Patriots can’t let the Jets drop them to 0-2, can they?

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Sep 19, 2021

We always tell you not to pay too much attention to the results of the first month of a National Football League season.

That’s because teams haven’t settled in, plus there isn’t updated film on opponents, etc. And remember, a coach’s favorite saying, which now players are using, is “I don’t know, I’ll have to look at the film.”

Well, the film of last week will show you yours truly began in abysmal 2-5 fashion. But the hope is that come January,that record will be soaring.

And that’s the way a lot of NFL teams are thinking right now. Including your New England Patriots.

The rivalry with the Jets has been a little stale. But you can bet that the spice for today is the fact New England can’t start out 0-2 with two AFC East losses.

And the second one to the Jets? For Belichick, that’s unfathomable. Forget the fact that there’s a lot of respect for the new Gang Green coach Robert Saleh.

“Certainly the Jets are a team that are coached to play hard,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “They play with high effort. They’re tough. They play with a good level of physicality. We’ll have to match that, and, you know, try to exceed it.”

The Patriots were built this off-season to do just that. So today, they better.

Here’s a look at our seven misguided predictions:

PATRIOTS 27, JETS 7

Belichick, as we are reminded, is 1,277-2 against rookie quarterbacks. Or something like that. The toughness is really the only thing the Jets have going for them, but it will be interesting to see what surprises Belichick has in store for Wilson. And, for that matter, Saleh for everybody’s fav, Mac Jones.

BILLS 24, DOLPHINS 13

Miami just isn’t that good, which makes last weeks loss by the Patriots infuriating. Buffalo is, which makes their loss to the Steelers the same. An 0-2 start for the Bills? We’ll all have to stop eating chicken wings.

RAVENS 27, CHIEFS 23

Upset special tonight. Baltimore certainly needs this one, and as invincible as Pat Mahomes & Co. seem to be in the AFC, it’s, well, early. Just look at the film.

PACKERS 30, LIONS 14

They were confused in Green Bay, thinking the season really starts today, not last Sunday. Can’t seen Jared Goff outdueling Aaron Rodgers, as bad as the Packers looked last week.

SAINTS 40, PANTHERS 21

Is Jameis Winston the real deal? Well, it will be interesting to find out after a whopping eight – yes eight – Saints coaches can’t be at the game in Charlotte due to COVID protocols. Ouch.

RAMS 19, COLTS 13

This could be a good one, because Indy can play some defense. But Matthew Stafford is living large and loving life in Sean McVay’s world. And why not? He’s got a great arm, a lot of confidence, the exact opposite Goff.

SEAHAWKS 17, TITANS 10

Seattle used to be one of the most physical teams around but the Seahawks have softened up the last couple of years. But they still have enough talent to beat a Tennessee team that just doesn’t seem ready to start the season. Hard to say that about a Mike Vrabel coached team.

LAST WEEK: 2-5

SEASON: 2-5

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

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