Ahhh, Patriots-Bears.

It brings back memories of the days when Nashua’s own Ted Phillips was running Da Bears, and certainly had business success while leaving things to the football people. But the one thing the Bears could never get was the quarterback. While Tom Brady led the Patriots, Chicago went through a slew of them.

Phllips has since retired, but lo and behold, the Bears may have their quarterback in Caleb Williams. The Patriots may have theirs in Drake Maye.

But neither may have the coach they need. Now, we’re not going to be on the bandwagon of those thinking Jerod Mayo won’t last another season. He’s a rookie head coach. There are going to be severe learning curves. It’s never what you prepare for, so the Patriots will try to grow with him.

But Matt Eberflus? Ugh. But for once we didn’t use that word with last week’s picks, we’ll take 5-2.

Let’s see how this week goes, but we hereby declare every Pats-Bears matchup as the Ted Phillips Bowl:

PATRIOTS 17, BEARS 13

Da Bears just aren’t very good, and Eberflus is simply not a good coach and not long for the job. It’s an intriguing game with two of the top three QBs/picks from the draft class, and Williams lost the first time vs. Jayden Daniels. We say he’ll lose again. Patriots need this one for morale.

BILLS 37, COLTS 20

Almost too easy. Joe Flacco’s magic may be running out, but Josh Allen’s isn’t. Unless Buffalo takes Indy lightly, it’s the Bills in a walk.

CHIEFS 23, BRONCOS 20

Denver bounces back from a tough time vs. the Ravens, but the Broncos always give the Chiefs trouble. The problem is, the offense is on the Chiefs’ side of the ball with Mahomes vs. Nix. Still undefeated in KC.

BUCS 27, NINERS 24

Bounce-back week for Tampa Bay, even if Christian McCaffrey comes back to play this week. Just seems like things aren’t clicking right for either team, and the Bucs have come close but just short too many times.This time they get over that hump.

EAGLES 30, COWBOYS 13

Even though it’s in Dallas, there’s no Dak, and that’s just a loss waiting to happen. Big D is now Little D, and the Commanders and Eagles will be the playoff teams coming out of the NFC East.

CARDINALS 27, JETS 17

Arizona and Kyler Murray are sneaky good. The Jets and Aaron Rodgers have been sneaky bad – well, let’s just say we thought they’d be better. One more loss after this and they’ll have to win out to make the playoffs and that won’t happen. Cards, though, could.

DOLPHINS 33, RAMS 30

Miami probably won’t make it either, but they’ll have enough in this shootout that will delight both head coaches to pick up a Tua Triumph. That will leave an angry Rams team to come to Foxborough next week.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 39-24

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