You have to know now that the New England Patriots are on their way to glory.

Why? Because the national media now is starting to take notice and not believe. After the Bills lost at Houston last night, it would take a total collapse for New England not to win the AFC East.

But it’s getting absurd nationally. Cam Newton, who couldn’t throw a forward pass when he was a Patriots, calls the team’s success “Fools Gold” on ESPN. Patriots QB Drake Maye, who has worshipped Newton being from Carolina, basically gave an honest answer when told what Newton said.

“I don’t even know what show he’s on,” Maye said regarding Newton. “I think they get paid to ake remarks and make certain comments.

“I’m just worried about what people in our organization think and worry about (what) we think and what my teammates think,” Mayes aid. “I’m just going out there on Sunday and worryng bout ourselves.”

Good for him.

But Stephen A. Smith, the host of ESPN’s First Take, called Maye a “liar”, saying how could he not know about First Take? Simple, you moron: Maye is in meetings, practice, watching film, etc. from 10 to noon. He’s not watching you dumb show. Maye is a class act, etc. He’s not about anything more than being the best QB – and person – he can be.

Smith has always been a blowhard, trying to say controversial things and the media should just ignore him. But this time we can’t, so we guess he’s succeeded.

We all make factual mistakes in this business and he’s made a few. He once said that Hall of Fame coach Nolan Richardson was deceased. Called Knicks guard Miles McBride as Michael McBride, and hoop was supposed be his main sport and he’s a fellow Knicks fan.

But now the national pundits who know nothing of what has been going on here are starting to turn on the hot air. And the Patriots will be on fire – as if they haven’t been already.

So let’s take a look at this week’s picks after a blah Week 11:

PATROTS 45, BENGALS 20

Yes, a beatdown of the Ben-Gals. Why? A, a motivated Patriot team with all the stupid noise, and B, Cincinnati simply can’t play a lick of defense. It’s terrible. Maye will set passing records in this one, and a returning Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will run wild. Now, it looks like Joe Burrow might indeed play — he’s fully practiced the last two days — so we upped the point totals from our original post. Still won’t matter.

CHIEFS 23, COLTS 21

Every seems to think the Chiefs will wake up and Indy will turn into a pumpkin. Well, not quite the scenario that many expect with a close win but the Colts are coming off a bye and the Pat Mahomes & Co. are desperate. Mahomes vs. Daniel Jones? Who knows any more. Jones also has a bad calf.

RAVENS 30, JETS 14

Tyrod Taylor vs. Lamar Jackson. Taylor won’t finish the game; he always gets hurt. Jackson, who hasn’t been fully healthy but practiced yesterday, will. The March of the Ravens continues.

EAGLES 24, COWBOYS 17

Philly is battling dissension – what else is new – and a sluggish offense. Hard to figure the Cowboys out except the fact that you can score on them – 29.3 points a game. Perfect for the Eagles; the only team that gives up more ppg is, yes, the Bengals.

RAMS 27, BUCS 21

Poor Baker Mayfield. His team had a chance to beat the Patriots and didn’t do it; they lost another tough one at Buffalo. Now they have to get our Super Bowl favorite as of now, the L.A. Rams and Matt Stafford on the road. And Carolina is challenging them for the division, yikes.

STEELERS 17, BEARS 13

Of course, this is depending on whether or not Aaron Rodgers plays with his fractured wrist on his non-throwing hand. It’s certainly dangerous should he get sacked and land on that wrist. So what’s up with the Bears? We say it’s their new coach, Ben Johnson. At 7-3, he must be doing something right. If Rodgers doesn’t play, it’s Da Bears.

JAGUARS 30, CARDINALS 24

Wow, Jacoby Brissett has found something in the desert, huh? Jacksonville, though, is starting to find itself too. Can Trevor Lawrence keep it going? We say yes.

LASTWEEK: 4-3

SEASON: 50-27

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