The drama continues with the New England Patriots, and there’s really only one way to stop it:

Win.

As one might expect, the birds of prey are circling around Bill Belichick, play caller Matt Patricia, quarterback Mac Jones, etc. after two straight losses, including the lackluster 24-10 loss to Buffalo at Gillette Stadium.

Players have called out players, coaches, etc. Belichick, people, is not going to do that when asked about the offense’s issues, etc. If there are any changes, he won’t make them outward, just to say do a better job of what they’ve been doing.

Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who doesn’t have Chandler Jones to bail him out (now with Raiders) anymore, said the Patriots offense looks like it’s being run by a defensive coach – conservative, control the ball to cut down on turnovers, etc. Belichick didn’t like it too much.

“I can’t think of any offensive coach that I’ve ever talked to that has been in favor of turning the ball over,” Belichick said the other day. “So, start with that and every coach who’s involved in offense is always in favor of scoring points. So, score points and don’t turn the ball over, I mean that’s a good place to start.

“There’s a lot of things that come after that. In the end, I doubt if you could tell me what the record of time of possession is this year in the league, right?”

Here’s the thing: The pressure is mounting. The Krafts can’t be too thrilled at having their team look dull and boring on national television, so much so its game at Las Vegas got flexed off a scheduled Sunday Night game instead of the other way around.

Now the Patriots go up against a horrible defensive team. They can’t lose this game on Monday night at Arizona, or at least lose it with their offense looking comatose and Mac Jones throwing balls away. Their season isn’t mathematically over, but it will certainly feel that way.

We don’t think they will:

PATRIOTS 24, CARDINALS 13

It won’t be pretty, it won’t be exciting, but despite all their problems, the Patriots are the better football team, and despite what you may think, are much better coached. The Cards give up points, and the Patriots offense will look fine. Just when it absolutely had to.

JETS 27, BILLS 24

They beat ’em once, why not do it again? The Jet defense is really, really good, better than Buffalo’s without Von Miller. Call us crazy, but with Mike White at QB, the Jets have more than a chance here.

DOLPHINS 30, CHARGERS 27

Miami can’t beat anybody good, but who said the Chargers are good? Desperate, maybe. This is a game Mike McDaniel has got to outcoach the other guy (Brandon Staley, doable), and Tua Tagovailoa has to out play the other guy (Justin Herbert) to be taken seriously. Chargers need it, but we say they won’t get it.

STEELERS 23, RAVENS 17

What will life in Baltimore be like if Lamar Jackson leaves as a free agent without being fanchised? Thanks to his injured knee, Raven fans are about to find out in a slugfest.

LIONS 40, VIKINGS 33

Shootout in Detroit. Yes, the Lions have to be taken seriously, even if, as Dan Campbell once promised, they don’t bite off any kneecaps. But they will suddenly thrust themselves back into the playoff race. They’ve got an offense, and the Vikes don’t have a a defense.

NINERS 10, BUCS 9

Tom Brady, the Monday night comeback notwithstanding, doesn’t have much of an offense, and the Niners have a superb defense. Sure, they are down to their, what is it by now, fifth QB? But Brock Purdy pulls a Brady with a TD pass with no time left.

SEAHAWKS 30, PANTHERS 17

The Legend of Geno Smith continues. The Seahawks pulled it out last week, but they won’t need to do it this time. It’s that time of year when 4-8 teams like the Panthers roll up and hide, counting down the days.

Boy, there are a lot of bad football teams out there.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

SEASON: 52-39

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