This weekend brings what many say is the best weekend in the NFL.

It’s Divisional Weekend, with two games today/tonight and the same on Sunday.

Remember this weekend, Patriot fans? The Patriots matchup in this round used to be the worst game of the four. The Patriots would usually roll over whoever it was. Houston, Jacksonville, etc. Tennessee played a close one in the bitter cold with the Patriots way back in 2004, with New England coming out on top 17-14.. And of course, there was the greatest Divisional Round game of them all, the Patriots win over the Raiders in the Snow Bowl way back in January of 2002. The Tuck Rule. Adam Vinatieri’s incredible pair of kicks to tie, and win. It was a fumble, fans, but hey, a two-part dynasty was born and playoffs/Super Bowls became the norm. The one Divisional Round game you’d like to forget was the Jets win at Gillette, 28-21 on Jan. 16, 2011. The amazing thing about that one was it came five weeks after New England had trounced Rex Ryan’s Jets 45-3 at Gillette. Absolutely stunning.

The last time the Patriots played in the Divisional Round was Jan. 13, 2019 – six years ago. It was a 26-degree day and New England trounced the Chargers 41-28. The game was not as close as the final score as the Patriots led 35-7 at the half racking up 347 yards, scoring on five of ther six possessions.

And that was it, folks. The Divisional Round is a a distant memory for Patriots fans, as are the playoffs. Perhaps that will change in the next two to three years; we think it will.

Meanwhile, Wild Card Weekend never gives us good football, and hope to do better than the .500 mark we had last weekend. Here goes:

CHIEFS 24, TEXANS 17

This could be closer than you think because the Chiefs regulars have been basically idle since Christmas. That’s waaaay too much time off. But eventually Patrick Mahomes pulls them out of the fire one more week. But that, too, may end soon.

LIONS 40, COMMANDERS 37

Live by the sword, die by it. A late field goal gives the Lions the win, but you know Jayden Daniels and his merry band will have Lions coach Dan Campbell stomping up and down the sidelines. This may be the most entertaining game of them all.

EAGLES 30, RAMS 13

Some have the Rams winning this outright. Really? No way. Philly may have its issues, but they’ve got the best collection of talent in the NFC and will roll, you bet your Saquon Barkley. Philly-Detroit in the NFC title bout.

RAVENS 33, BILLS 24

Shootout in the cold in Buffalo with snow showers expected. The Bills manhandled the Ravens during the regular season, but this isn’t the regular season. Buffalo’s defense won’t be able to handle Lamar Jackson o Derrick Henry this time around. We think the Ravens are going to the Super Bowl. Of couse, we’ve thought that before.

LAST WEEK: 3-3

PLAYOFFS: 3-3

FINAL REGULAR SEASON: 86-40

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