Imagine what today could have been.

The Atlanta Falcons come to Gillette Stadium, and just remember, this might have been the Return of Bill.

Yes, that Bill. Bill Belichick almost became the Falcons head coach and exalted ruler, remember? The Atlanta front office trembled in fear at the idea and helped convince owner Arthur Blank from writing that kind of check for Belichick & Co. Rumor also has it Patriots owner Robert Kraft may have told Blank it wasn’t a great idea, too, but who knows.

Instead, we get the Falcons coached by Raheem Morris, who may have been a better salesman than he is a head coach when he convinced Blank to hire him.

In any event, the Falcons are just snakebit, either by bad ownership decisions, bad front office decisions, and bad coaching decisions.

We give you Exhibits A and B: Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins. OK, Michael Penix Jr. was a decent move and Belichick wouldn’t have done that.

But, oh, what could have been for this weekend. The hype would have been off the charts. Instead, well, Atlanta is just another weak opponent on the Patriots schedule.

Maybe they would’ve been anyway. How’d North Carolina do Friday?

Here’s this week’s picks:

PATRIOTS 30, FALCONS 10

We don’t care if Tom Brady plays QB for the Falcons – well OK, maybe – they’ll still screw it up. Poorly coached team that can’t quite seem to get it right. This Patriots team will tak full advantage.

BILLS 23, CHIEFS 17

Great matchup, one that both teams really need. While we like the Chiefs defensively better, they don’t run the ball as much which is Buffalo’s weakness. So that gives the Bills a chance to take control. If they don’t, Patriots get a stronghold on the division.

STEELERS 24, COLTS 21

C’mon, how long can this Indiana Jones thing last? How long can the Steelers look like zombies with a good quarterback? It ends now, even if it’s going to take some Rodgers’ heroics.

TEXANS 18, BRONCOS 15

This could be a strange game; we’re including it because there are barely any inter-conference games, so we’ll add an all-AFC. The Broncos have a great defense, but believe it or not, the Texans are only allowing 14.7 points per game. Amazing for a 3-4 team. They’re about to be 4-4.

NINERS 27, GIANTS 13

It pains us because if Mac Jones starts it would be tough seeing him beat the Giants. But it won’t be Jones as much as Christian McCaffrey who derals the G-Men, because they simply cannot stop the run.

COMMANDERS 24, SEAHAWKS 17

The Commanders have announced QB Jayden Daniels is a go for this Sunday Night Football tilt. That’s good enough for us, even though Seattle’s Sam Darnold has played well. ‘Hawks are coming off a bye, Commanders are desperate for a win.

BEARS 30, BENGALS 27

Yikes, two disappointing teams. Da Bears have a good coach, but Caleb Williams stinks. Yet even he will be able to score on a Bengals defense that is allowing over 35 points a game. Chicago moves to an inflated 5-3. Can’t imagine what the Patriots and Drake Maye will do that Bengals D on Nov. 23.

LASTWEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 36-20

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