You hear him talk this week and it seems like Bill Belichick secretly has always wanted to be a Cowboy.

“They’ve been good for quite a while,” Belichick said of the Dallas franchise that hasn’t won or been in the Super Bowl going on close to 30 years (1995). “Jerry (Jones) and Stephen (Jones) have put together a great organizaton.”

Yes, America’s Team. The Patriots were like that when they won their first Super Bowl but then got too good and too controversial. But the Dallas organization has been away from making playoff strides for years now, so what are we talking about here? We’re talking about a team that poses a big threat to sinking the Patriots to a 1-3 start in a game that features the past (former Pats cornerback Stephon Gilmore, now a Cowboy, plus former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott) vs. the future (Patriot corner Christian Gonzalez and running back Rhamondre Stevenson).

Right now, the future, Gonzalez, is doing pretty well in the present with an AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month Award.

“Yeah, it’s great for him,” Belichick said, “but it’s not what we’re in it for. Just trying to win games, get better.”

We got better last weekend, going a stellar 6-1, but it’s a brand new week:

COWBOYS 27, PATRIOTS 21

Everyone’s looking for a blowout on the Dallas end. But the Cowboys are without key players on their offensive line, corner, etc., which will lessen the gap between the two teams considerably. The difference? Dallas had Micah Parsons, and the Patriots don’t.

BILLS 33, DOLPHINS 31

How often does it happen that a team looks unbeatable one week and then the next runs into reality? Actually, the reality is Miami may be just a tad better than Buffalo, but the Bills will take this one as they have somewhat recovered from losing to Zach Wilson and the Jets.

CHIEFS 27, JETS 10

Speaking of which, from a Jets’ perspective, thank goodness for their defense or this could be a low, low point for a franchise that has many of them. The last thing they wanted was to put the seemingly lost Wilson in the hot seat and national limelight, but thanks to NBC and the millions of Swifties out there, that’s exactly what’s happening.

SEAHAWKS 27, GIANTS 21

You see how the Giants were tackling against the 49ers 10 days ago? Not good. Geno Smith, a former Jet and Giant, gets a charge out of being back in the Meadowlands and the Sea Doves look like Seahawks again for the second straight week.

NINERS 33, CARDS 14

Arizona had its day in the sun, so to speak, with its upset of the Cowboys (one the Patriots hope to imitate). Brock Purdy is one purdy good QB, it certainly seems, and while the Niners aren’t explosive, they’re pretty much a complete team.

JAGUARS 17, FALCONS 13

Good day, Mate! It’s the first London game of the year and by the time you read this it may be over as we get a 9:30 a.m. EDT start. Atlanta has made strides but Jacksonville is too good to start out 1-3.

RAMS 30 COLTS 23

The Colts have been without their QB but are finding a way to get it done. But the Rams, a slight road favorite, have lost two tough, close games, and should be ready to rise back up. We don’t see Matt Stafford and Co. as more than an eight or nine-win team, but that should be good enough to beat Indy.

LAST WEEK: 6-1

SEASON RECORD: 13-8

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

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