Evidently we all missed our chance.

A couple of small portions of the New England Patriots were up for grabs and we missed the sale window.

Who knew?

So let’s pretend we made the purchase. The first message to the team would be this:

Today is a must win.

You cannot lose to the Carolina Panthers, drop to 1-3. You have to beat the teams that are struggling, like you, to get back to relevancy. You have better players. You can’t do what you did a week ago and beat yourselves.

“I think the more that you put yourself in close games, the more that you put yourselves in those situations, that you have to be abe to have some favorable outcomes,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said, knowin his team could be 3-0 given a couple of plays here or there, including the numerous turnovers.

If the Patriots don’t win this game today, the heat will be on.

Meanwhile, we wish Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams the best in his cancer battle. Here’s this week’s picks:

PATRIOTS 27, PANTHERS 17

Basically, if the Patriots don’t turn the ball over, they’ll be in good shape. The Panthers didn’t exactly overpower the Falcons last week, although the score says otherwise. Bryce Young can run but really can’t do much else. The owner is, to put it midly, restless and can’t settle on a regime. The Patriots will not lose to this crew.

DOLPHINS 24, JETS 17

Speaking of losing teams….A season ends for the loser of this game, but the Dolphins have the better quarterback and should be able to figure out a way to win. If not? Been nice knowing you, Coach McDaniel.

RAVENS 27, CHIEFS 20

Speaking of must-win games, that’s pretty much the case for these two. Just imagine this: When this one’s over, either the Chiefs or the Ravens, deemed AFC royalty, will be 1-3. We say it’s the Chiefs, home or not. Had they been playing a well run NFL team with an actual offense and better defensive coaching last Sunday night, they’d be winless going into this.

PACKERS 40, COWBOYS 17

Blowout in Big D. OK, Arlington. The Cowboys are one of the worst defensive teams in the league – look what Russell Wilson did to them two weeks ago – and while Dak Prescott can make this close for a

while, Micah & Co. will keep him from begin able to match points.

EAGLES 23 BUCS 21

The Bucs and Baker Mayfield have a flair for the dramatic,don’t they? But the Eagles just have a way of wearing you down, and they can win the close ones too.It’s going to be either Green Bay or Philly in the Super Bowl, we say.

VIKINGS 30, STEELERS 24

Ahhh the luck of the Irish. Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers looks about as disinterested as any QB could be. Maybe the trip to Dublin for this morning’s game will rejuvenate him. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz certainly looks rejuvenated, right? Trust us, J.J. McCarthy is not the answer there.

RAMS 27, COLTS 17

Daniel Jones comes back to earth. Maybe. We still can’t figure out how this is happening with Indy but we figure the Rams are going to win the NFC West and are the better team playing at home. If Jones pulls this off then that’s the reason the Giants should fire Brian Daboll.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

REGULAR SEASON: 13-8

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