PATRIOTS THIS WEEK

Dolphins (1-0) at Patriots (0-1), 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Spread: Dolphins by 3

Outlook: Give the living ghost of Bill Belichick credit. He may be defrocked of his genius card ever since Tom Brady left and took the winning with him, but Bill still knows how to coach him some defense. He still majors in taking away what the opponent does best, so we have to figure the Patriots will scheme to derail Tyreek Hill as Tua Tagovailoa’s chief target. Miami had nine plays of 20-plus yards vs. the Chargers last week, while the Patriots gave up only one such long play in a 25-20 loss to Philly.

Prediction: Dolphins, 24-20

GAME OF THE WEEK

Chiefs (0-1) at Jaguars (1-0), 1 p.m. (CBS)

Spread: Chiefs by 3 1/2

Outlook: Patrick Mahomes and reigning champion Kansas City are desperate to avoid an 0-2 start and have won seven straight over the Jags. The Chiefs get All-Pro DT Chris Jones back, but the key will be TE Travis Kelce’s iffy availability. Either way, I like Andy Reid and Mahomes against a young Jags defense.

Prediction: Chiefs, 34-24

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Browns (1-0) at Steelers (0-1), 8:15 p.m. Monday (ABC)

Spread: Browns by 2 1/2

Outlook: Cleveland manhandled Cincinnati last week, while the 49ers did the same to Pittsburgh. Those results make this pick seem all the riskier. No matter. The Steelers have not lost consecutive home games since September 2021, and have beaten Cleveland in three of the last four meetings. Also hunch the Browns come in with unearned overconfidence.

Prediction: Steelers, 20-17

OTHER GAMES

@Falcons (1-0, -1 1/2) over Packers (1-0), 23-20: The Falcons are sneaky good at home (on a 7-2 run), including three straight with Green Bay visiting. The Packers could be missing top back Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson to hamstring injuries.

@Bills (0-1, -8 1/2) over Raiders (1-0), 31-13: Josh Allen’s turnovers handed a win to the Jets on Monday night, but the Bills are on a 10-1 run at home and catch the Raiders hobbled, with WRs Davante Adams (foot) and Jakobi Meyers (concussion) both iffy.

@Bengals (0-1, -3) over Ravens (1-0), 24-23: Joe Burrow was beyond horrible last week, and now risks an 0-2 hole, as the Ravens hope to have TE Mark Andrews back. But Cincy has won four of its past five in this rivalry, and desperation matters, even this soon.

@Lions (1-0, -4 1/2) over Seahawks (0-1), 27-20: Detroit stunned the Chiefs last Thursday, so Dan Campbell had extra time to (try to) get his Lions down off the cloud. The home-opener crowd will help. So will the fact Seattle could be without both starting offensive tackles.

Chargers (0-1, -3) over @Titans (0-1), 24-20: Can Justin Herbert not outscore a struggling Ryan Tannehill? Austin Ekeler and Joey Bosa are questionable for the Chargers, and Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins is iffy. Derrick Henry needs to be fed early and often for any upset shot.

@Buccaneers (1-0, -2 1/2) over Bears (0-1), 19-16: Was Week 1 a harbinger and Baker Mayfield, rising like a phoenix, can lead Tampa to the playoffs? Um … no. Is Chicago as bad as it seems? Yes. The Bears have lost 11 in a row, and Justin Fields’ arm is not the answer.

@Texans (0-1, -1 1/2) over Colts (0-1), 17-13: It’s C.J. Stroud vs. Anthony Richardson in the year’s first rookie QB matchup. Neither has much help, but Richardson has even less as the Jonathan Taylor mess drags on. Houston has won and tied the last two meetings and is at home.

49ers (1-0, -7 1/2) over @Rams (1-0), 24-18: The 49ers looked like the best team in the league in Week 1, and dominate this division rivalry (8-1 run, seven straight vs. spread). But Matthew Stafford had the Rams flying last week and should keep it inside a fat betting line.

Giants (0-1, -4 1/2) over Cardinals (0-1), 23-20: Confession: My gut said Arizona wins. I can’t stop thinking how bad the Giants looked in that 40-0 loss to Dallas. And Arizona has won the past four meetings. If the Cardinals win, I’ll be the distant voice screaming, “Nooooooo!”

@Cowboys (1-0, -8) over Jets (1-0), 24-10: Aaron Rodgers said he is “completely heartbroken” by his Achilles injury but that, “I shall rise yet again!” But will the Jets keep rising without Aaron? We think not. Dallas’ big defense will make Zach Wilson look like, well … Zach Wilson.

@Broncos (0-1, -3 1/2) over Commanders (1-0), 19-17: Denver’s home-field edge isn’t what it once was, but an expected return of WR Jerry Jeudy should give Russell Wilson enough to help deliver Sean Payton his first victory as Denver’s coach. Washington with points, though.

@Saints (1-0, -3) over @Panthers (0-1), 23-16: Earlier of two Monday night games finds the Saints, at home, a solid choice to make putting up points a tough task for Carolina rookie QB Bryce Young. Meantime, albeit one game in, Derek Carr looks like a good fit for the Saints.

Last week: 9-7 overall; 8-8 vs. spread