Let’s examine this past week with the New England Patriots:

They luckily didn’t get OBJ, saving themselves an eventual major headache.

Quarterback Mac Jones was foolishly declared Public Enemy No. 1 by Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Brian Burns.

They also got lucky with Cleveland’s Nick Chubb, unfortunately for him, not able to play Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19.

Then former QB Cam Newton is brought back to Charlotte by the Carolina Panthers, a move likely made more by a starry-eyed owner rather than their second-year coach.

Oh, and Bill Belichick began his annual push for Josh McDaniels to get a coaching job, comparing him to his former defensive coordinator in Cleveland, Nick Saban.

And then he also evoked the name Sun Tzu, the famed Chinese General, about “exploiting your strengths and attack weaknesses.”

Last, but not least, talked on how Mike Lombardi, a know-it-all if there ever was one, “really had a big influence on my career.”

Nothing like a Friday in Foxborough. But really, that’s when Belichick is at his best in terms of expounding on football philosophy and some of the whys of the Patriots operation. Anything beats “best interest of the football team” even if it takes a few softball questions to do it.

But none of that hides the fact, meanwhile, that Sunday is a huge game for the Patriots, because they would gain an advantage over the Browns while winning their fourth straight to go to 6-4. It’s beginning to feel like they will.

Meanwhile, last week for some reason we picked eight games. So we’re back to seven, and here’s how we attack weaknesses for Week 10:

PATRIOTS 24, BROWNS 20

Belichick will definitely try to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses, especially with Baker Mayfield suffering with a bad shoulder that at some point will likely need surgery. No Chubb, and not a whole lot of firepower to challenge your defense. Patriots roll will continue.

BILLS 30, JETS 27

This could be a great game. Why? Because the Jets can now score points with Mike White as their QB. The Bills should be ashamed of themselves for at least two of their three losses, a sign that nothing will come as easy in Buffalo.

CHIEFS 23, RAIDERS 17

Has any team ever had a worse month off the field, sad to say given the tragedy, than the Raiders? On the field, the Chiefs haven’t been great, but push will come to shove here because they desparately need this game.

PACKERS 34, SEAHAWKS 13

Seattle’s defense stinks. There, we said it. The mighty have indeed fallen, and it’s likely the “immunized” Aaron Rodgers comes back for this one. Because the Seahawks can’t stop anyone, it may not matter whether Russell Wilson returns or not.

RAMS 34, NINERS 16

Good grief the Niners have simply lost their way. They got all caught up in the quarterback when basically their lack of depth has ruined them defensively, giving up an average of 25.3 points a game. The Rams, even if Odell Beckham doesn’t play, will realize they’re not playing the Titans and get on a roll. May be a Monday Night snoozer.

TITANS 24, SAINTS 17

Speaking of whom, the Titans have a chance to create more distance between themselves and the rest of the AFC. Trevor Siemian is adequate for the Saints at QB (better than Taysom Hill), but now it’s Sean Payton’s turn to find out what life is like without a Hall of Fame quarterback at the controls.

CHARGERS 27, VIKINGS 21

Minnesota all season has played just well enough to lose, five losses by a grand total of 18 combined points. Guess what? With Justin Herbert at the controls, the Charger, who won four of their five games by that same 18 point combined total, the Vikes will lose again.

LAST WEEK: 6-2

SEASON: 44-20

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