OK, people, time to clue you all in on a few things:

One, the New England Patriots were not going to be a good football team in 2024. Rookie head coach, inexperienced (to some extent) coaching staff, first-year VP of Player Personnel….

Yet all you hear is they all have to be fired.

Be serious.

There’s a huge learning curve. This isn’t Year 2 of a rebuild – it’s Year 1. Uno. First. So chill. Head coach Jerod Mayo is going to make mistakes. He’s going to be feeling his way. The team’s talent is such that his mistakes won’t be the difference between making or missing the playoffs.

Those who expected a big free agent splash from VP Eliot Wolf need to re-adjust their thinking. There weren’t many quality linemen or top players out there where the Patriots needed them. There may be more suitable targets this March. Meanwhile, one thing Wolf did not do well in is the draft after choosing Drake Maye, a no-brainer. Espcially with regards to receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. That will have to change.

It could be worse, Patriot fans. You could have Matt Eberflus as your head coach. Gee, and he’s suddenly available.

The Patriots just aren’t good enough for all these things to make a difference. You win, the noise goes away. We think they should win today:

PATRIOTS 24, COLTS 13

We’re using the QB formula: Maye is better than Indy’s Anthony Richardson. Game, set, match. Really, we feel it’ts that simple. Don’t be surprised if Joe Flacco gets some time.

JETS 17, SEAHAWKS 16

Just a feeling that Gang Green is going to close its eyes and come up with a win. The Seahawks and Geno Smith just haven’t been consistent enough this season. The numbers don’t really support it, as the Jets, coming out of a bye have only a 13-10 OT win over the Giants last year in the last five years coming out of the bye and are 17-25 overall. Oh well, we’ll see.

BENGALS 30, STEELERS 23

Pittsbugh’s defense has been great, but we;re not believers in Russell Wilson. Joe Burrow ought to be able to outscore his counterpart. Bengals, at 4-7, are also way more desperate.

RAMS 30, SAINTS 27

Shootout in the SupeDome, and the Rams usually win these. Plus, the Saints, at 4-7, are basically counting down to January. L.A.hopes to be playing further into January.

VIKINGS 27, CARDINALS 20

Call it the Daniel Jones effect. Just kidding. Defensively, the Vikes are holding opponents to 17.9 points a game, and are playing at home in a loud place. If they can corral Kyler Murray, they win.

EAGLES 24, RAVENS 16

Baltimore’s defense, especially up front, isn’t what it used to be. Philly’s offensive line, inspired to block for Saquon Barkley, is better than it used to be. Philly will play Detroit in the NFC title game. Clip and save.

BILLS 17, NINERS 13

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Injuries, etc. have depleted the Niners to the point where they won’t be a playoff team. There’s supposed to be a lot of lake effect snow, that’s always an advantage for the Bills and Josh Allen.

LAST WEEK: 6-1

SEASON: 56-28

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