Ahhhh, the good ol’ days.

Patriots fans who managed to skip the indoor chores on a rainy Saturday and catch the Patriots Hall of Fame festivities that were broadcast on Boston television got their fill of the glory times as former Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel and offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia were inducted.

We got to see the relaxed side of Bill Belichick, telling some great stories about both. It’s a side of Belichick we don’t ordinarily see – especially now, when the walls are closing in on him, and everything he’s doing being severely questioned because of the team’s failures on the field.

Ironically, it was Vrabel that started this whole mess. The Titans that he coaches beat the Patriots in their last playoff game at Gillette Stadium, that just happened to be the last game Tom Brady played in a Patriot uniform.

And Scarnecchia? Geez, it seems that as soon as he retired, the Patriots began having offensive line problems.

“He can give tough love, but in a good way,” Belichick said the other day. “Just a great guy to be around.”

And Vrabel? Belichick said the back-and-forth between Vrabel and Brady at practice “was quite entertaining”.

“No surprise he went into coaching,” Belichick said. “No surprise he’s been successful. Good, smart football player and coach, good fundamentals.”

And obviously learned a thing or two playing under Belichick. It’s a different time now, and this is something we’re all going to have to get used to.

Meanwhile, same old, same old as it’s the second straight week of 4-3. Forget playing it better and coaching it better; we have to pick it better:

BILLS 27, PATRIOTS 10

Sure, Buffalo has had a hard time scoring lately after torching the Dolphins. Well, they’re two weeks back from London, and Sunday at 1 is a lot better than Sunday night. Mac Jones vs. Josh Allen? Hmmm….thinking… just kidding.

CHIEFS 30 CHARGERS 27

This should be an up and down affair, but Brandon Staley will probably go for it on fourth and 10 from his own 20 with 50 seconds left and his team up 27-24, and not come close to making it. Mahomes to Kelce, game over. And we’re only half kidding.

COLTS 10, BROWNS 7

Yes, that low scoring.Cleveland’s defense is really, really good. We’re giving Indy the Dome benefit of the doubt here.

NINERS 30, VIKINGS17

Hell hath no fury than a 49er team scorned, or a week after its first loss. The Vikings? We see it all the time in the NFL, a first-year head coach has immediate success, like Kevin O’Connell did last year, then it’s just not the same in Year 2. But they probably won’t deal Kurt Cousins.

COMMANDERS 27, GIANTS 3

They’re going crazy in New York, but the Giants have a same problem besides a quarterback named Jones (Daniel, who is still out) – a horrendous, injury ravaged offensive line. Those things just don’t automatically fix themselves, unless, well, you have a Dante Scarnecchia. And neither team does.

EAGLES 34, DOLPHINS 21

You see, Miami will put up a lot of points against teams that aren’t very good defensively. Philadelphia is, the Eagles are at home, coming off a loss, and they will make Tua’s life miserable.

LIONS 17, RAVENS 14

This and the game just mentioned are the two best games of the weekend. What’s happening in Detroit is simply the compatibility of a coach, Dan Campbell, and his front office, agreeing on a philosophy. And somehow they revived the once soft QB Jared Goff. There will be some sore kneecaps after this one.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

SEASON RECORD: 28-14

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

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