Football’s back. We get in the rhythm. The New England Patriots had their typical Wednesday of a game week, and we get the annual defending Super Bowl champion opener that we haven’t had in Foxborough since September of 2019.

Remember those days?

The Raiders coming to town bring some fun. There’s former Patriot coach Pete Carroll, from over 25 years ago. There’s his offensive coordinator, Manchester’s Chip Kelly.

“Chip’s offense has expanded and grown,” Vrabel said. “I mean, Chip used to call it on an index card. He had seven plays and they just were really good at them and they wen really fast.

“So I think that’s allevolved from the stuff at UCLA, from the stuff at Ohio State, to what he’ll do with those skilled players that we mentioned with the Raiders.”

So Sunday looks like a tossup at Gillette. Let’s give you seven games and seven picks for this weekend. Usually we do this column on Sundays, but with the NFL opening tonight and then tomorrow, we’ll go early.

It usually will be the same: the Patriots, then two AFC games, two NFC, and two inter-conference.

PATRIOTS 24, RAIDERS 21

Hopefully for the home team it won’t come down to a last second field goal because we don’t trust Andres Borregales. Maye will put the ball in rookie TreVeyon Henderson for the game-winner after Geno Smith scrambles for a go-ahead score.

BILLS 27, RAVENS 24

Wow, what an opener for Sunday Night football. We’re picking one of these for the Super Bowl – find out who on Sunday – but in this one we think the Bills Mafia will spur their team on at home, as Josh Allen finds a way. Lamar Jackson will, too, but we like Allen at home.

STEELERS 30, JETS 16

Aaron Rodgers, even in his 40s, vs. Justin Fields. No contest. Plus the Jets took a big hit on Wednesday with the likely season-ending injury to highly regarded starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Jets want to run more than they throw, this will make it tough.

EAGLES 40, COWBOYS 21

No contest. Saquon Barkley doesn’t have to look where Micah Parsons is for the first time, and Philly returns 18 of 22 starters from its Super Bowl winner. Brian Schottenheimer as the new Dallas coach? Not exactly Tom Landry.

LIONS 27, PACKERS 26

This is almost a pick ’em.The Lions need to get off to a fast start to begin their push to finally get to a Super Bowl. Sure, the Packers now have Parsons but on Opening Day anything goes.

PANTHERS 17, JAGUARS 13

There’s only two interconference games this weekend, and this is one of them. We think the Panthers, though not great, especially on defense, will take another step with QB Bryce Young. Like we said, anything goes this weekend.

RAMS 33, TEXANS 30

Shootout in L.A. This is a much better non-conference matchup than the one above with two good offenses going at it. The only question is Matthew Stafford’s health.

LAST YEAR

PLAYOFFS: 6-6

FINAL REGULAR SEASON: 86-40

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