Finally, a New England Patriot game.

The ridiculous Wednesday season opener extravaganza just creates too much of a void, right? We’ve disected, bisected trisected, billionsected Drake Maye’s fourth quarter meltdown vs. the Seattle Seahawks, Romeo Doubs’ pesonality, the Kayshon Boutte trade enough.

Then we got into the politics surrounding owner Robert Kraft. Between the Seahawks game and today’s home opener at Gillette Stadium vs. that age-old philosopher Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bishop Guertin Cardinals will have already played two games.

Maye knows the attention and pressure is on him in this game because it’s all we saw in that fourth quarter, his mistakes (three picks).

He knows, in his own words, “A lot of the decisions the quarterback makes have a lot to do with wins and losses. I know that and respect that and realize what I need to do to help this team win.”

Perfect.The one thing about Maye is he’s a cool, realistic customer. Always in the right frame of mind. If you’re a coach, you’d love to have a quarterback like him in terms of personality.

Now you want to have a quarteback like him the regular season of 2025.

Let’s see how it goes in 2026.

Meanwhile, we can’t remember having a worse Opening Week. Two wins. That’s it. Shameful. This week we think 7-0 is a possibility. Yes, we went there:

PATRIOTS 24, STEELERS 17

Steelers will try to throw the kitchen sink at Maye, and he’ll hand off to Rhamondre Stevenson. Aaron Rodgers is approaching the 18th green, and his wedge shot will fall short. Look for Gabe Jacas to be unleashed, maybe.

CHIEFS 30, COLTS 7

Patrick Mahomes vs. Daniel Jones. We rest our case. That’s really all the analysis you need for a Sunday Night game.

BENGALS 27, TEXANS 24

Joe Burrow has been nursing a sore back but we’re still going to do the QB comparison: Burro or C.J. Stroud? C’mon, who would you pick?

COWBOYS 24, COMMANDERS 17

This time the Dallas defense will actually be in the right spot to make a play. At least we think it will. If it’s not, Brian Schottenheimer will be on the hot seat, while Washington coach Dan Quinn already is.

RAMS 40, GIANTS 23

Don’t be fooled.While the Giants looked great last Sunday night, and won’t be bad, the Rams are back on Plante Earth, had all week to rest after that ridiculous trip to Australia, and Matthew Stafford will destroy a bad Giants secondary.

PACKERS 30, JETS 13

Here’s another New York/Jersey special. Sure, Green Bay has its issues, but if Matt LaFleur can’t figure out a way to befuddle Geno Smith, his seat will be hotter than Quinn’s or Schottenheimer’s.

RAVENS 20, SAINTS 14

If this were in the Dome, we’d say the Who Dats would be our pick. But Lamar Jackson at home vs. a dome team outdoors? Obvious pick, although if we were using the spreads we’d pick Saints to cover. But we’re not. Yet.

LAST WEEK: 2-5.

SEASON: 2-5.

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