Sunday’s game smells must-y
Pats look to avoid big deficit
The Patriots Sway is on its way.
In the last 18 years, about the only “must games” the Pats have played in are called Super Bowls.
Those times are achanging.
And fast.
That’s why the Patriots are in this must-win situation on Sunday. Perhaps your mind refuses to accept such a ridiculous scenario. A couple of “bad as they have ever looked” losses in this Brady-Belichick era does not mean times are reverting to the Rod Rust-Victor Kiam days.
Please, we must never reminisce about that mess.
But the Miami Dolphins can put an early strangle- hold on the AFC East at the Stadium At The Mall. The Dolphins are undefeated! Shudder the thought of Mercury Morris jumping around somewhere in his underwear, shouting about perfection. That’s why the mean, merciless, dominating, cheating, exhilarating Patriots must hand some- thing like a good beatdown to his Dolphins and end any thoughts of a regime change.
If the Patriots can, that is, swaying as they are.
And sending Phillip Dorsett deep while Tommy Boy does his best imitation of Mike Taliaferro is the not the solution. If there even is one! Because in the NFL you still gotta play de- fense, Bill!
You must! And you ain’t got one!
Many loyal to the core will utter the old “they will figure it all out” rallying cry of years past, but this all feels so different, doesn’t it? This must-do-something-big of a game must be delivered.
Imagine being three games back of the Dolphins four games into the season. Torture upon torture.
As for this “must” situation your Patriots seemed to be in — blame Bill, blame Tom, blame Kraftie, blame me!
It’s time to make cutting the mustard a must conclusion.
Dolphins dominating the division?
The Patriots Sway? Must not happen. Home stand:
Miami at Patriots (-61⁄2) — Being tied with the Bills and Jets for last place in the division should provide enough inspiration to get the Patriots back in the AFC East race. Wow, never dreamed you’d be thinking that. Pats, 27-20.
Do or die week:
Houston at Indianapolis (-2) — Bill O’Brien is well in the lead for the first coach to go on his unmerry way.
Texans, 23-20.
Cincinnati at Atlanta (-4) — The Falcons are the worst to figure out. But go with the won’t-lose-two-ina-row-at-home theory. Falcons, 31-17.
Buffalo at Green Bay (-10) — The Bills so loved their Minnesota trip last week, they moved over one state to carry on business, though not entirely well.
Packers, 26-23.
Detroit at Dallas (-3) —
Just as the Jaguars showed last week, the Lions gave it all up to beat the Pats. Cowboys, 30-13.
NY Jets at Jacksonville (-71⁄2) — Only the Jets could have controversy about their defense that’s ranked eighth-best in the NFL. Not after this week.
Jaguars, 32-6.
Tampa Bay at Chicago (-3) — One more week for Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Bucs QB. Make it count. Buccaneers, 22-17.
Philadelphia (-3) at Tennessee — Titans signed some QB named Austin ... Tracy Austin, Steve Austin, Austin Powers. Who knows? Eagles, 27-16.
Seattle (-3) at Arizona — The Cardinals are rolling out Josh Rosen, their firstround quarterback choice. Throw to Larry Fitzgerald on every down, kid! Seahawks, 31-21.
Cleveland at Oakland (-3) — The Baker Mayfield delirium won’t follow the Browns to the West Coast.
Raiders, 24-10.
San Francisco at LA Chargers (-10) — Niners went from having a big hit in Jimmy G to taking a big hit in Jimmy G. Chargers, 28-13.
New Orleans (-3) at NY Giants — The Saints should simply stay on the road for every game. Saints, 26-20.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-3) — Despite these teams’ natural instincts to cry about nothing, the rivals do put on a good show. Ravens, 34-31.
Kansas City (-4) at Denver — Yes, the Chiefs are a powerhouse in the early season again but not so much a favorite at Mile High. Chiefs, 27-24. Last week: 4-11-0 Season: 19-26-1