The NFL is back and so are we.

We get NFL football from now all the way through the middle of February, how about that?

And that means you get this column every week until then, while the day will vary.

But here we are, Week One. No spread involved, seven games, always the Patriots and usually two other AFC games, two NFC, and two inter-conference if the matchups are good.

Either way, you know we’ll struggle through the first part of the season. The first four weeks produce a lot of surprises because it takes at least a month for teams to get into a groove one way or another.

Either way, of course the New England Patriots are front and center. We still scratch our heads at the moves made by Bill Belichick, and he made more Saturday by re-signing backup QB Bailey Zappe and putting recent signee Matt Corral on a list we never knew existed: Exempt/left squad.

The Patriots were fortunate nobody plucked Zappe off the practice squad or on waivers, but now it seems he’s on the 53, not an elevation just for game day (of which you can only do three times per player). For now.

We may get our first real look at oft-injured back Ty Montgomery, also signed to the 53 from the practice squad. And we won’t see controversial corner Jack Jones for awhile, placed on IR thanks to that hammy.

Let’s see what we’ll see from these Patriots, meanwhile:

EAGLES 20, PATRIOTS 13

The Eagles are simply better up front and at the quarterback position thanks to Jalen Hurts and the work they did the last couple of years. They did what the Patriots should have done the last couple of years: Take the next step. They’ll take another one today, Brady Day or not. Matt Patricia as their senior defensive assistant or not.

JETS 24, BILLS 21

This is the most long awaited game for Jets Fans since, well, Super Bowl III? There’s just a nagging feeling that the Bills are moving in the wrong direction,and the Jets were talented last year except at quarterback where they had a spoiled brat. Now they have an eccentric old man, but he’s good.

CHARGERS 30, DOLPHINS 21

This is the time for the Chargers to finally do something. Of course, we say that every year, but this time we mean it. We also mean it when we say Tua Tagovailoa should have said that’s it after his head has been banged around repeatedly. Miami will fall far short of expectations.

COWBOYS 27 GIANTS 13

If Daniel Jones is worth $40 million a year, then this column should win us a Pulitzer. Dallas is no great team, but the Giants are simply not there yet despite solid coaching and front office. The secondary will be their greatest weakness as we’ll see tonight.

BEARS 13, PACKERS 10

Neither team is great; we think Da Bears and Justin Fields can do some damage, win nine or 10 games and win a weak division. And if anyone thinks the Packers will be better with Jordan Love instead of Aaron Rodgers, they’re dreaming.

NINERS 24, STEELERS 23

Shaky pick,but what the heck, we did say the Niners will win the whole thing (see Pats Preview) and to do that you have to win tough games on the road. The Steelers will be an interesting team to watch with Kenny Pickett, and this may be one of the better games today.

TITANS 24, SAINTS 17

We’re more convinced that the Titans will have a bounc back year than the Saints, because they have Derrick Henry and the Saints don’t. And just to make Patriot fans feel worse, DeAndre Hopkins catches game-winning TD.

LAST WEEK: 0-0

LAST SEASON: 80-58 (Playoffs, regular season)

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

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