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Weather or not, the pick should be the Patriots on Monday

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Dec 5, 2021

Oh, the weather outside can be frightful, especially now that we’re in December.

Will the outcome Monday night for New England fans be delightful?

You’ll hear all sorts of theories. But the Patriots have always done well when the conditions are the worst, and they’re not expected to be warm and toasty near the shores of Lake Erie on Monday. The white stuff could even be flying through the air.

“We haven’t seen a lot of snow this year, but I don’t know what we could do about that,” Belichick said. “We practice in wind. We practice on sunny days, cloudy days, windy days, calm days, hot days, cold days, wet days, dry days. What’s it going to be? Whatever it is, and if we haven’t done it, then we’ll adjust to it. We’ve dealt with almost everything.”

The Patriots will adjust this way if and when there’s tough weather in Buffalo – ever hear of a beautiful day there this time of year – and run the ball. What can be a two-headed monster of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will be tough for the Bills to handle. As Pats rookie QB Mac Jones, set for his first MNF appearance said, “We trust the running backs to make the yards they’re supposed to make.”

Buffalo has put all their eggs in the Josh Allen basket. The Bills need this game. Should be fantastic theatre.

What hasn’t been fantastic are the mediocre picks the last two weeks. Let’s see if we can do better for the first of three straight Sundays without Patriots games:

PATRIOTS 30, BILLS 17

Yes, the Patriots will win this football game. The Bills simply aren’t what they were a year ago, and aren’t exactly built for a rock’em, sock’em game. Too soft? Maybe, as that’s what the Patriots were last year. Defensively, the Patriots will turn Allen into a turnover machine. Pass the wings, please.

RAVENS 24, STEELERS 10

Hmmmm….the Steelers always get up off the mat after they’ve been embarrassed like they were last week, and Baltimore is no great shakes. So who do we trust more, the Ravens to look like the AFC’s top seed or the Steelers to recover? We’ll go with the eight win team.

CHIEFS 27, BRONCOS 13

Can Denver really muster up enough offense to keep up with Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs, especially at Arrowhead? We really tend to doubt it, even though Vic Fangio’s crew has given up just 17.8 points a game, third best in the AFC. Key Sunday Night test to see if the Chiefs are indeed back.

NINERS 26, SEAHAWKS 7

The Seahawks are more like SeaDoves. They don’t inspire fear in anyone, and Russell Wilson is constantly running for his life behind a paper-thin line, no running game and no help anywhere else. In terms of personnel, Pete Carroll and Co. have let their star quarterback down, for sure.

CARDINALS 24, BEARS 10

It’s the same deal in Chicago, as Da Bears simply can’t muster an offense, averaging a next to last 15.8 points a game. Arizona looks like the best team in the NFC now, but let’s see how things work out come mid January.

DOLPHINS 27, GIANTS 7

Miami’s on a roll, is home in nice toasty Florida, and the Giants are starting Mike Glennon at QB with Daniel Jones out (neck). Good coaching matchup of former Patriot assistants, but advantage Brian Flores over Joe Judge.

RAIDERS 30, WASHINGTON 17

If the Raidahs can put on the show they did against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, what can they do against the WFT at home? This is a game they need to win to prove they’re legit in the playoff hunt.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

SEASON: 57-28

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

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