Ahhh, the highs and lows, twists and turns of a New England Patriots season.

The Patriots won’t be distracted by the “distractions” of the off-field trouble incurred by Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore.

Why? Because this is a tight-knit group, one that will simply take its frustration out on the opposition. The poor Dolphins on Sunday don’t really know what they’re walking into.

That being said, this is the football side of what’s happened. The Playland side. The Real World side has yet to play out, the optics aren’t good, it seems people may have suffered, and there’s all sorts of legal, labor, etc. implications. Let’s see what the NFL’s watchful eye comes up with.

With all that, there is football to be played on Sunday. We’ll basically pay attention to that for the time being. Thus, here are this week’s picks:

PATRIOTS 35, DOLPHINS 7

Are you kidding? Miami in a cold weather game to end the season? They’d have one foot on the plan to Cancun whether the game was played in Foxborough or Miami Gardens, but being in the former, the plane is probably taking up space in the Gillette Stadium lot.

BRONCOS 24, CHARGERS 21

OK, so no Justin Herbert. But in these games, you have to expect the unexpected. The Chargers are going to make the top seed a tough earn even with the game in Denver. But Broncos get it done.

STEELERS 17, RAVENS 13

Everyone is assuming the Steelers, after blowing the chance to clinch last week vs. the Browns and being without D.J. Metcalf that they will fold against Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson – who is playing – and the Ravens. Like we said, expect the unexpected.

TEXANS 23, COLTS 16

That Houston defense is on fire, and poor Philip Rivers will have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. The Texans are the team no one wants to play in the playoffs with good reason.

NINERS 30, SEAHAWKS 27

Sam Darnold in a big game. Need we say more? The Niners and Brock Purdy are on a roll, they’re home, it’s Saturday night and it’s a big incentive to stay home through February.

BUCS 29, PANTHERS 20

This is a crazy scenario, but Tampa tries to save Todd Bowles with a win and the Bucs get one to put them in front of Carolina in the NFC South. But…

FALCONS 27, SAINTS 23

…The Falcons pull out the win, create the 8-9 three-way tie, and the Panthers will win the division and get a home playoff game. With that win, Raheem Morris keeps his job as Atlanta coach while down in Tampa Bowles loses his.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 77-42

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