Fifteen down, two to go.

The Patriots will be nationally showcased on Saturday as part of the NFL’s tripleheader, a move that unfortunatley prevents yours truly from being in Foxoborough, Hey, we’ve got holiday tourney games here in Nashua, NFL, c’mon.

It’s been a quiet week for Jerod Mayo and the Patriots. Their showing vs. Buffalo, plus the Christmas holiday, has kind of taken a lot of the heat off the region’s 3-12 NFL entry. But there can be distractions galore this time of year.

“My message to the team was, look, this is a huge week as far as being able to comparmentaliz,” Mayo said.

Mayo is still feeling his way. Many will focus on the coaching matchup with Jim Harbaugh and wonder what it might have been like if the Patriots went out to get him, which certainly was not going to happen. A lot of teams are wondering the same thing with regard to their coaching situations in the last year.

“This is a very good football team,” Mayo said, “a team that honestly reminds me of the old school way of playing.”

You might even say the Chargers play the game the way Mayo would like to see his Patriots play, in terms of style. Emphasis on the run, low turnover rate, good defense. It will be interesting to see the matchup.

Here’s how we think it will go:

CHARGERS 20, PATRIOTS 17

The team that plays well enough to lose does it again. The Chargers are looking to clinch a playoff spot, and who cares that they have to go cross country, blah, blah,blah. Harbaugh will have them ready, no matter what Drake Maye does in this one.

BENGALS 27, BRONCOS 16

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are on a mission to create some drama, little as there may be, for the AFC playoff race. Burrow vs. Bo Nix: Advantage Cincinnati. That may just offset the Broncos edge in Sean Payton over Zach Taylor.

BILLS 24, JETS 17

The Jetsies and Aaron Rodgers will make this interesting; they usually do when they face Buffalo. But a coaching gaff by one of Woody Johnson’s kids ruins the upset bid. C’mon, we all know who’s been in charge here.

VIKINGS 33, PACKERS 30

The NFL wisely moved this showdown to the late afternoon Sunday window. Sam Darnold shows what good coaching can do for a quarterback that has the physical tools but has been led astray by bad mentors. Jordan Love shows that patience and learning is a virtue. Two of the best offensive coaches produce a beauty.

LIONS 30, NINERS 16

Detroit is still hurting on defense, but the 49ers are hurting all over. Just a lost season for the Niners, while the Lions, if healthy, are the NFC’s best. They’re not, but they’ll be good enough here.

EAGLES 27, COWBOYS 13

The NFC’s best team, we say, resides in Philadelphia. Sure, they blew it last week vs. the Commanders, that won’t happen here whether Jalen Hurts plays or not. We’re going with a third NFC game because the interconference games are lousy.

COLTS 30, GIANTS 10.

Case in point: The NFL’s worst team maes the Colts, who have faint playoff hopes, cruise to .500. The G-Men had better lose if they want to get the quarterback of their choice.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 75-37

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