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Help wanted: Can shorthanded Patriots toe the line?

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Oct 10, 2021

If you’re in good shape, can take some contact on a football field, heck, you should have boarded a plane to Houston in time for today’s New England Patriots-Houston Texans game.

Who knows, you could’ve been signed on the spot.

The Patriots are razor thin on the offensive line. Horribly so. It’s a good thing the Texans are 31st against the run, because it’s a real question as to who will be doing the blocking up front. And Mac Jones had better wear a suit of armor.

Here’s the list: Trent Brown (calf) placed on IR. Michael Onwenu, Isaiah Wynn on reserve/COVID list, won’t play. Shaq Mason, ruled out.

Thus three from the practice squad have been elevated, including familiar name James Ferentz.

“Whoever has the opportunity, I’m sure they’ll make the most of it,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on Friday.

It’s not just the offensive line. New

Cornerbacks Shaun Wade and Jalen Mills, o-u-t. Safeties Jonathan Jones and Kyle Dugger, questionable. Myles Bryant elevated from the practice squad.

What are you waiting for?

OK, if you didn’t make the trip, you’ll be cringing every time the Texans swoop down on Mac Jones, who is the better rookie QB over Houston’s Davis Mills.

The Patriots need a win. If it weren’t for the Brady Bowl, this would’ve been a drama week with former Pats personnel guy Nick Caserio and former Pats whatever, the weird Jack Easterby, on hand now in the Texans front office. Caserio is the real deal, he has his work cut out for him, though.

So do the Patriots who cannot afford a 1-4 start.

“Just losing sucks,” Jones said this week. “You just have to take it for what it’s worth, more so in the beginning of the season, as a learning experience.”

The learning may be still ongoing, but the winning must start.

It has on this end, we reached perfection last week. Can we do it again?

PATRIOTS 27, TEXANS 10

The Patriots are an average team. The Texans are a bad team. Average beats bad any day, and expect a game just like the Jets game, with Mac Jones continuing his development. But what the Patriots should try to do in this game if they can find any healthy offensive linemen is run the ball, and take some pressure off their young QB, especially vs. the league’s 31st ranked rushing defense.

CHIEFS 33, BILLS 30

A good ol’ fashioned shootout. If it’s in Buffalo, the Bills win by three. But this one is in Kansas City, the Chiefs really need it, it’s tough to bet against Pat Mahomes & Co. , even though right now they may be only the second best team (gulp) in their division.

CHARGERS 30, BROWNS 17

The best team in the AFC West, those spunky Los Angeles-Should-Be-San Diego Chargers, will continue their winning ways. Baker Mayfield has a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, and it no doubt impacted his play a week ago and will do the same here. In fact, 17 points may be too much.

CARDINALS 24, NINERS 7

Is Arizona for real? Certainly looks that way, but the Cards got off to a fast start last year and fizzled down the stretch. Jimmy G is hurt and may or may not play, rookie Trey Lance is so-so, Kyler Murray is en fuego, and it just add up to a win for the home team in Glendale. The Niners Super Bowl hangover continues in its second year.

COWBOYS 34, GIANTS 13

The Clapper (Jason Garrett) is back in Big D with a hot QB, Daniel Jones. But the Cowboys have the hotter guy in Dak Prescott, and while this Dallas team has flaws, it has what it takes to beat a more flawed team in the Jints. The ‘Boys will be the NFC East champs when all is said and done.

RAIDERS 24, BEARS 10

It’s not a pretty season in Chicago, where rookie Justin Fields is the new No. 1. The Raiders are still licking their wounds from the loss Monday night, but they’re home and will bounce back in a big way.

BUCCANEERS 37, DOLPHINS 13

This one’s too easy. Sure, Miami coach Brian Flores knows how to defend Tom Brady. Big deal. The Bucs are home, the Dolphins have to start Jacoby Brissett, and it’s just not going to be Miami’s season. Tamp wins big.

LAST WEEK: 7-0

SEASON: 20-8

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

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