Welcome to another edition of the Prime Time Patriots.

It’s pretty strange, when you think about it. Tonight’s game between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will be the second of a stretch of four straight games in prime time for the home team.

They played last Thursday night at Minnesota as the Thanksgiving night game, and then their next game after tonight will be Monday Night, Dec. 12 at the Arizona Cardinals. They follow that up with a Sunday night Dec. 18 game at the Las Vegas Raiders and old friend Josh McDaniels. Now, a disclaimer here because it’s still very possible if the Patriots don’t win tonight and the Raiders lose Sunday’s home game vs. the Chargers, it could get flexed out in favor of a more attractive, at least record-wise, matchup that’s not protected by either CBS or FOX, and we don’t know what those protected games are offhand.

But either way, the Patriots still seem to have that national appeal, despite their mediocre nature. However, they could take a big step forward with a win tonight in what is expected to be a blustery – again – Gillette Stadium.

It’s certainly possible. It comes down to this matchup: Josh Allen vs. Matt Judon. Baby the wind must blow.

Meanwhile, after a second straight good week, 12 out of 14 the last two weeks combined, let’s see which direction the wind blows this week overall, not just tonight:

PATRIOTS 23, BILLS 20

Upset special. The Patriots formula is simple: Hold the Bills to under 25, because since Tom Brady left, New England is only 1-15. The player tonight is Rhamondre Stevenson; the Bills are not good vs. the run, and if the wind is like it was with the Jets, New England has a fighting chance.

CHIEFS 30, BENGALS 27

Kansas City is on roll, and has a bone to pick with the Bengals, who beat them in last year’s AFC Championship Game. We still think the Chiefs miss their long passing game, and could use more of a running game, but the Patriots could use a KC win.

RAIDERS 27, CHARGERS 23

Raiders are on a roll, two in a row, look at ’em go. The Chargers pulled one out of their you-know-what a week ago, but we think the emotional Derek Carr will push them to a win. Hold off on that flex, NFL.

COMMANDERS 30, GIANTS 17

The Giants may not win another game this season. We hope not, but realistically, they’ve played lousy football since their 6-1 start and Washington, once Carson Wentz got hurt and Taylor Heinicke became the QB, has taken off. Giants are still too banged up and Saquon Barkley isn’t the same back after he banged up his shoulder a few weeks ago.

BUCS 17, SAINTS 10

Ah, remember when this was classic Brady vs. Brees? Now it’s a frustrated Tom Brady against who the heck knows, Andy Dalton or whomever. The Bucs will win the NFC South by default, but who knew Brady could be more miserable than he was in his 2019 Patriots final season.

NINERS 24, DOLPHINS 17

Let’s just calm all the Tua Talk down, OK? Miami simply hasn’t played anybody, but they will on Sunday, and a team with a great defense that will have match despite what former Niners offenive coordinator Mike McDaniel has in store. This one should’ve been flexed into the Colts-Cowboys Sunday Night spot, but heaven forbid the NFL tell Jerry Jones his team won’t be in prime time. Grrrrrr.

EAGLES 21, TITANS 17

We were almost going to pick Ryan Tannehill over Jalen Hurts but then came to our senses. Why? Because the Eagles have really beefed up their defensive front and that might be just enough to stop Titans battering ram Derrick Henry. Heck, this one could’ve been flexed, too, if it wasn’t protected.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 48-36

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

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