If you want to know what it takes to be a good team in the NFL, take a look at the Indianapolis Colts today if you’re either at Gillette Stadium in person or watching on television or whatever modern device you choose, the way things are these days.

Oh, don’t be mistaken. The Colts right now aren’t a good team. And they really haven’t been during the Frank Reich coaching era.

That’s because, while Reich is a good coach, Indy has lacked one major thing since he was hired in place of old friend Josh McDaniels, who infamously bailed on the team a few year ago.

That would be a quarterback.

The Colts have yet to recover from the Andrew Luck retirement. They had Jacoby Brissett. Stinks. Then Philip Rivers. Too old, so he retired. Ah, Carson Wentz, he and Reich had worked in Philly with success. Nope. Wentz turned out to be a stiff, and worse, a jerk.

Ah Matt Ryan. He’s got to be the guy. Solid, steady, always ready. Except Atlanta let him go for a reason. His time had come.

Patriot fans, you don’t want your team to end up like this. Neither does Bill Belchick, so he needs to get Mac Jones in gear or else, well, Jones could be the Colts QB someday.

Meanwhile, we need to get in gear with our picks as we’re barely over .500.

Here goes:

PATRIOTS 20, COLTS 3

Besides the QB issues, the Colts have a depleted offensive line and their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, who gave the Patriots fits in Indy. Who the heck is Sam Ehlinger? Where’s Johnny Unitas? Bert Jones?

BILLS 24, JETS 13

Man, Zach Wilson looked absolutely awful last week against the Patriots. The Jets have revamped their defense, but if they can’t get the quarterback play better, well, they’ll look like the Colts.

CHIEFS 30, TITANS 23

Rematch of the AFC Championship Game a few years ag, but not much has changed. Derek Henry is a beast, but so is Patrick Mahomes.

CARDINALS 34, SEAHAWKS 24

Sorry, Geno Smith, time for you to turn into a pumpkin. The Cardinals are no great shakes, but all we heard about this week are the teams who never realized your full potential. You stunk. And you will on Sunday.

RAMS 14, BUCS 10

What a strange year. But it’s no mystery what happened to the Bucs; they have no offensive line and no one to catch the ball, and a quarterback who makes you depressed to hear talk. Aaron Donald should have a pretty good day.

RAVENS 40, SAINT 28

Take a good look, Saints fans, you may be watching your next QB, but he’ll be in a Ravens uniform Monday night. And he’ll beat your team.

DOLPHINS 27, BEARS 17

Miami’s offense is getting in gear, and the Dolphins made moves at the deadlines to improve their defense. Look, Justin Fields is finally looking like he gets it, but Tua will answer his every score the way he’s playing.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

SEASON: 29-27

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