Tom King

Things are getting worse around the National Football League, as the mid-week COVID total reached 75 players and counting as of this writing.

But the New England Patriots – fingers crossed – have avoided losing any key players other than Kyle Dugger for one game after a positive COVID test.

And heading into Saturday night’s game at Indianapolis, that could be just another example of how everything seems to be falling the Patriots’ way.

“The league’s put out some new things,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “We’ll be in compliance with them. I feel like it’s been an emphasis all year.”

What will be an emphasis Saturday night, especially on offense? The Colts have been mouthy, declaring they will focus on stopping the run and dare rookie QB Mac Jones to beat them.

“I don’t think you know exactly what they’re going to do,” Belichick said. “They mix it up pretty good. They haven’t allowed a lot of explosive plays. … I think we’ve just got to read the coverages … wherever the coverage tells (Jones) to go, I think that’s where he should go with the ball, which is what he’s trying to do and what we’re trying to get him to do.”

Everything these days is coming up Patriots. Already there are multiple, confusing scenarios in which New England and a few other teams can clinch playoff berths. You think that it’s New England and Kansas City in the race for the top AFC spot.

Our pick is New England. Meanwhile, not so hot with the other picks lately, as we look to break a three-week stretch of the 4-3 blahs:

PATRIOTS 27, COLTS 16

Indy is a team quarterbacked by Carson Wentz, and he’ll have a familiar feeling running around for his life with Matt Judon chasing him. The Patriots have also proven adept at stopping the run, and Indy back Jonathan Taylor will be the ultimate test. Josh McDaniels gets to look across the field and see what might have been, but this game will convince him he made the right decision a few years ago to stay put.

TITANS 17, STEELERS 12

Tennessee isn’t what it was a few weeks ago, but the Steelers aren’t what they were a year ago, which was a good team. Ryan Tannehill is no great shakes, but right now he seems like a better QB than Ben Roethlisberger, and that’s how far the Terrible Towel Team has fallen.

BENGALS 24, BRONCOS 17

Tough loss at home for Cincy last week, and in this space as well. We keep waiting for Denver to implode yet the Broncos keep hanging around. They’ll hang around Sunday, but go with the better QB in Joe Burrow.

BUCS 30, SAINTS 13

New Orleans can’t score. Tampa can score anytime it wants, even if Tom Brady may never have Antonio Brown to throw to again. Easy win, and that Brady vs. Pats Super Bowl talk increases.

RAMS 24, SEAHAWKS 12

At first we were going to take Seattle given the Rams COVID issues following their big Monday night win. But then visions of the Rams’ Aaron Donald chasing Seattle QB Russell Wilson all over the field changed the pick. As long as Donald’s not on any COVID list.

BUFFALO 27, CAROLINA 13

Ahhh, the Bills look like world beaters when they play Cam Newton, right? Buffalo gets back on track just in time to get ready for that Dec. 26 game at Foxborough, which reportedly will remain a 1 p.m. contest and not be flexed to later in the day or that night. An early Christmas gift.

PACKERS 22, RAVENS 12

Lamar Jackson won’t be able to do much with that ankle, if he plays at all – he wasn’t practicing as of this writing. Advantage, Aaron Rodgers – and Patriots as another would be AFC contender hits the skids.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

SEASON: 65-34

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