PATRIOTS THIS WEEK

Eagles at Patriots, 4:25 p.m., Sunday (CBS)

Spread: Eagles by 4

Outlook: Will Bill Belichick ever relocate his lost mojo? (The one Brady took with him?) The NFC champ Eagles won’t match last year’s 14-3 record but are still the team to beat in the NFC, and adding RB D’Andre Swift makes a potent offense even better. Belichick still has the defense to keep the Pats in games, but QB Mac Jones has a lot to prove and not a ton of special offensive talent to help him.

Prediction: Eagles, 24-17

GAME OF THE WEEK

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Bills at Jets, 8:15 p.m., Monday (ESPN/ABC)

Spread: Bills by 2 1/2

Outlook: Bills at Jets alone would be enough, but add Aaron Rodgers in his post-Packers debut? And living miracle Damar Hamlin back with the Bills? OMG! New Jets RB Dalvin Cook can barely get on the doggone marquee. The teams split last season and both games were low scoring. Still, Josh Allen has the Bills a title contender going in, while the Jets have missed the playoffs 12 straight years. Can Rodgers, about to turn 40, turn all of that around right away?

Prediction: Bills, 27-24

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Titans at Saints, 1 p.m., Sunday (CBS)

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Spread: Saints by 3

Outlook: The Titans have won six of the past eight over the Saints, and I like more Derrick Henry vs. what was a really bad Saints run defense last year. And if they stack it to limit Henry, Ryan Tannehill has an elite target again with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. The Saints are missing RB Alvin Kamara to a suspension, but new QB Derek Carr has a nice targets in Chris Olave and a finally healthy (for now) Michael Thomas. So the over/under of 41 feels quite low.

Prediction: Titans, 23-18

OTHER GAMES

@Falcons (-3 1/2) over Panthers, 20-17:

There is spice with the debuts of rookies Bryce Young, Carolina’s overall No. 1 pick at QB, and Bijan Robinson, Atlanta’s fantasy darling RB. Young getting comfortable might take longer, though he’s in good hands with new coach Frank Reich.

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Bengals (-2) over @Browns, 23-20: Joe Burrow is back healthy from a calf issue, and Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd await. That’s a lot for Deshaun Watson to outscore as he hits the reset button.

Jaguars (-5) over @Colts , 31-16: Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence is poised to elevate to the axis of elite QBs. Indy is starting raw rookie Anthony Richardson. The Colts missing RB Jonathan Taylor adds to the disparity.

@Vikings (-5 1/2) over Buccaneers, 27-17: Tampa’s starting QB has gone from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield. Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson will be plenty here as the Vikings try to force Mayfield to throw behind a ragamuffin offensive line.

49ers (-2 1/2) over @Steelers, 23-16: As Brock Purdy and Kenny Pickett enter their second seasons, defense is this game’s calling card. Niners stud Nick Bosa is the new richest defender ever, while Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt is a similar force. Bosa, though, fronts the best defensive unit overall.

@Commanders (-7) over Cardinals, 24-6: New QB Sam Howell might need time to settle in, but Coach Ron Rivera can put on a show for the club’s new ownership. Arizona stinks. I mean, like Limburger cheese, and starting Joshua Dobbs is a strong indication of full-on tank mode.

@Ravens (-10) over Texans, 34-16: A sacks-strong defense, a tough place to play and a savvy coach in John Harbaugh combine to suggest a very rough debut for Houston’s rookie QB C.J. Stroud.

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Packers (+1) over @Bears, 23-20: Upset! Sort of. Green Bay has won eight in a row against the Bears (who ended last season on an 0-10 skid) and covered every one, but the betting line obsesses over no Aaron Rodgers. I don’t.

@Broncos (0-0, -3 1/2) over Raiders (0-0), 24-20: The Raiders have won six in a row in this rivalry, but: 1). Denver paid big for a really good coach in Sean Payton; 2). Russell Wilson will enjoy vindication; and 3). Vegas’ major problems on defense have not gone away.

Dolphins (+3) over @Chargers, 31-27: Upset! Well. I believe the Dolphins are clearly better overall defensively. I also believe that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa is better than Justin Herbert – with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The result will be telling for both teams.

@Seahawks (-5 1/2) over Rams, 23-16: The 5-12 Rams were the worst reigning Super Bowl champ ever. Now Cooper Kupp (hamstring) won’t play. But are the Seahawks all that?

Cowboys (-3 1/2) over @Giants, 30-20: A big Sunday nighter, but Dallas is on a 9-1 run in the series, and Daniel Jones is 1-5 against the Cowboys and played badly in two losses last year.

Last year: 162-107-2 overall; 121-143-7 vs. spread.

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