PATRIOTS THIS WEEK

Patriots (0-2) at Jets (1-1), 1 p.m. (CBS)

Spread: Patriots by 2 1/2

Outlook: New England has won 14 in a row over its AFC East rival, and some of those recent ones have been because Bill Belichick’s pass defense has owned Zach Wilson. Not sure if Sad Zach has done anything to suggest much will be different in what should be a rugged defensive scrum.

Prediction: Patriots, 19-13

GAME OF THE WEEK

Eagles (2-0) at Buccaneers (2-0), 7:15 p.m. Monday (ABC)

Spread: Eagles by 5

Outlook: Slim Week 3 pickins, so by default, it’s the only matchup of 2-0 teams. We are still waiting for Philly to play like the reigning NFC champ it is. And on the Tampa side? Baker Mayfield has been great – and what were the odds those five words would ever seriously go together? Give us rested Birds after playing last Thursday, but a medium upset shot by the Bucs.

Prediction: Eagles, 27-20

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Titans (1-1) at Browns (1-1), 1 p.m. CBS

Spread: Browns by 3 1/2

Outlook: Derrick Henry vs. Nick Chubb won’t happen, with Chubb lost for the season, and Henry is bothered by a toe injury but is expected to play. There is no replacing Chubb, and an already struggling Deshaun Watson will be the worse for it. The Browns have lost six of eight at home to Tennessee.

Prediction: Titans, 20-17

OTHER GAMES

@Lions (1-1, -3) over Falcons (2-0), 24-20: The trouble with picking every game every week is that not all evoke a strong feeling. So we will take the safe harbor of a venue call here, especially with Atlanta packing an 0-6 road skid for this trip.

@Packers (1-1, -1 1/2) over Saints (2-0), 20-17: Another tough call, this one likely pivoting on injuries. Will the Pack have RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson back from hamstring hurts? Our pick is counting on that.

@Dolphins (2-0, -6 1/2) over Broncos (0-2), 30-17: The Dolphins sail 2-0 into Sunday’s home opener, with 0-2 Denver visiting. Anybody nervous? Tyreek Hill (ankle) was limited this week and Jaylen Waddle was in concussion protocol. Too bad, because Denver’s pass defense is vulnerable, foretelling big air numbers for Tua Tagovailoa.

@Vikings (0-2, -1) over Chargers (0-2), 29-26: This is the only matchup of 0-2 teams – and unexpectedly so for each. The Vikings are their own worst enemy with seven turnovers, while the Chargers may be missing RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) and Joey Bosa (hamstring).

Bills (1-1, -6) over @Commanders (2-0), 27-16: The only upset avenue will be if Allen’s Bakery is open and Josh is giving away turnovers. Washington must hope for big defense and a small score because Sam Howell cannot hang with the Bills if Allen in on his game.

@Jaguars (1-1, -8 1/2) over Texans (0-2), 24-16: The Jags have lost five straight at home to Houston. But C.J. Stroud is nursing a hurt shoulder, and Trevor Lawrence figures for a big day against a banged-up Texans secondary, even if the bet-line feels fat.

@Ravens (2-0, -8) over Colts (1-1), 24-13: Indy’s rookie QB, Anthony Richardson, remained in concussion protocol late in the week, putting Gardner Minshew on call to face Baltimore’s fearsome defense. Feeling pretty good about the under-45.

@Seahawks (1-1, -6 1/2) over Panthers (0-2), 27-10: Don’t trust the Seahawks defense, but the Panthers counter with a meek offense, especially with struggling rookie QB Bryce Young iffy on a tender ankle. The Panthers need RB Miles Sanders to be the difference-maker.

@Chiefs (1-1, -13) over Bears (0-2), 34-0: Chicago’s losing streak is at 12 games. The defensive coordinator abruptly resigns and QB Justin Fields blames coaches for his “robotic” play. Turmoil! And at the Chiefs is the opposite of a remedy.

Cowboys (2-0, -12 1/2) over @Cardinals (0-2), 28-7: Arizona’s losing streak is at nine games but it has won six of seven meetings with Dallas. Forget that. Joshua Dobbs will melt into a puddle under heat from Dallas’ excellent defense.

@Raiders (1-1, -2 1/2) over Steelers (1-1), 19-17: Not quite trusting either squad but counting on a home-opener bump from Vegas. Raiders RB Josh Jacobs could get back to ‘22 form against what has been a horrid Steelers run defense.

@Bengals (0-2, -3) over Rams (1-1), 26-21: Hard to believe these two teams met in the Super Bowl two seasons ago. Joe Burrow’s calf injury makes him iffy, while Matthew Stafford’s Rams have been competitive but still not what they were. We’ll roll with the more-desperate Bengals at home.

Last week: 11-5 overall, 10-5-1 vs. spread

Season: 20-12, 18-13-1