It’s still early on in the NFL season, fans.

So don’t get to overanalyzing everything yet. But let’s face it, New England QB Mac Jones looks pretty good, as the Patriots keep things simple for him.

The hope is you can say the same for the Patriots offense.

“We’ve definitely gotten better as a unit,” Jones said this week. “Just, you know, at first in the preseason games, you might ge this many reps with the ones or whatever, so now we’re all together, and we understand like who’s going to be out there together and kind of what we expect. …”

Jones basically just told you why the Patriots decided to hand him the keys to the luxury car rather than have him in the back seat with Cam Newton driving. The Patriots needed continuity and making an in-season change just wasn’t going to work.

This week’s opponent, the Who Dats,meanwhile, did hand the keys to a veteran who has been there for one year, former top draft pick Jameis Winston. One up, one down.

Still should be a good game, as these Patriots likely won’t blow out too many teams. Jones said he’s feeling his way to make the right decisions.

“I think it’s just trial and error,” Jones said. “Just trying to, first of all, run the play correctly. Like get it to the first read if he’s open or whatever and just stick to my reads, and, you know, plays will come.”

So will all the hype after today for Brady vs. Belichick, so Jones will do what he can to avoid being in the middle of it.

We’ll take his advice and philosophy with our picks and see if the wins will come this week:

PATRIOTS 20, SAINTS 17

New Orleans may try to run the ball a bit to based on the success the Jets had last week doing it, also to keep Jameis Winston from being a turnover machine. But the odds are Winston will falter somehow and that will lead to the Who Dats demise. However, Saints defense is tough. Close call.

RAIDERS 27, DOLPHINS 13

Sorry Jacoby Brissett just doesn’t do it for us as the Dolphins starter with Tua Tagovailoa out with fractured ribs. The Raiders arent a defensive moster, but they’d have to be super soft in the secondary to allow the former Pats third stringer a chance to light them up. Turnovers help Derek Carr against a good secondary and Vegas goes to 3-0.

TITANS 30, COLTS 16

Indy QB Carson Wentz has injuries to both ankles. How does that happen, unless he got landed on by someone like Titans monster back Derek Henry? Henry plows ahead once again and Tennessee pulls away in the fourth quarter.

RAMS 27, BUCS 24

This will put TB12 in a foul mood entering the Big Return as he loses the duel with veteran Matt Stafford, who is loving all things Rams right now. Should be a great game so if you have a chance to catch it, go for it.

PACKERS 30, 49ERS 17

San Francisco would love to slow the pace and try to keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands, even if it means it has to be in Jimmy G’s hands more. Packers can’t afford to have a slow start, so we’ll see if their win last Monday night was our Super Bowl pick’s coming out party.

BILLS 24, WASHINGTON 13

The Washington football team was sooooo lucky to get that win over the Giants it was ridiculous. The Bills and Jared Allen, especially at home, won’t shoot themselves in the foot (while Giants fans shot themselves in the head) the way Big Blue did. Taylor Heinicke comes back to earth.

BROWNS 30, BEARS 7

This is almost too easy. Da Bears aren’t a good football team right now, and will have to go with rookie Justin Fields at QB, likely, his first career start. Browns have the better QB and have scored 60 points in two games and even have Odell Beckham, Jr. returning. Should add up to a win over Da Bears.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 7-7

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

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