It’s time, New England Patriots. Time to see what you’re made of.

We saw a little of that last week when you dodged a Falcons dropping thanks to a missed extra point.

But now you have a tough road game after a quiet trade deadline. Yes, we interrupt this Soft Schedule Programming with a Tough Game Bulletin.

How will they handle it? The locker room is happy no deals were made; there’s a few ways you can look at that. A few other teams made moves, like the Indianapolis Colts, who weren’t expected to be contenders.

But here’s what we think: Owner Robert Kraft doesn’t like parting with draft picks, high end, low end, middle end, whatever. He also doesn’t like his front office building through free agency rather than the draft. So this is what happens.

And we’ll see how it impacts the rest of the season.

Here’s a look at this week’s picks:

BUCS 24, PATRIOTS 21

A battle in Tampa between two good teams.We just think that it will come down to the wire, as a lot of the Bucs games do with Baker Mayhem Mayfield leading the way. But watch out – if the Patriots do win this they can run the regular season table.

BILLS 30, DOLPHINS 17

This could be close for awhile, but let’s face it, there’s not a lot left in the tank in Miami. Division game so you give the Dolphins some power for that. But Josh Allen takes over eventually.

CHARGERS 20, STEELERS 14

Both teams need this, it’s in L.A., and Steelers got their feel good win last week. Great QB matchup ends up with the home team. Steelers would drop to 5-4 if they lose, but they’ll recover.

EAGLES 27, PACKERS 23

Two championship contenders? Philly yes, not sure about Green Bay, and there will be even more doubt after this one. Eagles are ready to go on a run after the same early season doubt they had last year, and what did they do? Win a Super Bowl.

RAMS 30, NINERS 27

We think it’ll be the Mac (Jones) Attack for San Francisco, and that’s sustained the Niners for a bit, but the Rams are starting to become the team to watch in the NFC. They’ll be that way even more after this.

RAVENS 24, VIKINGS 21

Great matchup. Baltimore should be moving in the right direction now that Lamar Jackson is back, and Minnesota got what it wanted out of J.J. McCarthy last week. But we still have to go with MVP, even on the road.

COLTS 33, FALCONS 24

Somehow, some way, Raheem Morris and the Falcons will screw this one up. Start clapping, Colt linebackers, you may drive the Falcons of the edge.

LASTWEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 41-22

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