The trail of bodies follows them wherever they go.

To be sure, the New England Patriots have left many a victim in their wake, especially Bill Belichick.

He’s pretty close to driving Sam Darnold out of the league. You have to know the Jets’ Zach Wilson will never amount to anything thanks to the Bill we trust.

And the Browns’ Baker Mayfield had to leave last Sunday’s blowout with a bad knee and his coach, Kevin Stefanski, opted not to put him back in to be further humiliated.

But there’s never been a victim like the Atlanta Falcons and their coach, Dan Quinn. That franchise had never been the same since 28-3. Quinn was hailed as a top notch, up-and-coming head coach who is now trying to revive his career as the Cowboys defensive coordinator.

The people in Atlanta must be bolting their doors today with the Patriots arrival for tonight’s Thursday Night Football. The Patriots won their last Super Bowl at Mercedes Benz Stadium, nearly three years ago.

“It’s a great place to play,” Belichick said. “It’s big. The biggest thing we need to focus on is, obviously, crowd noise and cadence and so forth and communication. Really, (their focus is on) just our preparation for the Falcons and what we’ll need to do (tonight). Once we get in there, we’ll take a closer look.”

Falcons fans will likely not be able to even bear to look.

Meanwhile, take a look at these picks, early this week thanks to the Thursday Night affair:

PATRIOTS 30, FALCONS 13

The only fear here is the Thursday Night factor, when the games are ugly and it’s a little more difficult for the road team. But the Falcons stink, the Patriots just too much of an edge in talent and coaching. Atlanta’s most prolific offensive player, Cordarrelle Patterson, has a bad ankle and while deemed a game time decision, there’s no way a speed guy can be effective with that type of injury. Done deal.

BILLS 23, COLTS 21

Great game on Sunday in Buffalo where Indy coach Frank Reich enjoyed a good backup career. Indy has a tough defense, but it comes down to who has the better QB, and in this case it’s the Bills, Jared Allen over Carson Wentz.

CHARGERS 27, STEELERS 7

Good grief, Pittsburgh better figure out what life after Ben Roethlisberger will be like, because Mason Rudolph certainly isn’t the answer. Big Ben will likely play but he’s a shadow of his former self. Chargers haven’t played well lately but they roll here on Sunday Night Football.

CARDINALS 24, SEAHAWKS 14

It looks like Kyler Murray will be back to play in this one, just as much as it looks like the Seahawks are done and Russell Wilson could be done in Seattle. Pete Carroll has let this all get away from him. A shame.

PACKERS 27, VIKINGS 21

Good QB matchup indoors, great rivalry, one the Packers lead by about eight games overall, but they don’t win often in Minneapolis. They do today, as Aaron Rodgers is immunized from defeat.

COWBOYS 34, CHIEFS 31

Best game of the weekend by far. Yes, Pat Mahomes and his team are playing better, but of course the Cowboys shook off that Denver loss and clearly took it out on the Falcons. Neither defense is top-notch, but Dallas this year simply seems like the better team – and could be a Super Bowl team. Not the Chiefs.

RAVENS 27, BEARS 10

Just a tough year for Chicago. This is a good rock ’em, sock’em matchup, but the Ravens, of course, have the more experienced QB and need to bounce back from last week’s bad performance. Justin Fields should be fine down the road, as the Da Bears have their QB, but probably not their coach.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 49-22

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