Until last year, Peyton Manning was 0-for-New England. Then the Colts beat the undermanned Patriots, 40-21, so Peyton now is 1-7 in Foxborough in his eight-plus seasons.

The Colts go back to Gillette Stadium tonight, just about a year to the day of that monkey-off-the back win. Once again, they go in unbeaten.

No matter. The Patriots are favored by two points after an impressive 31-7 win in Minnesota on Monday night. That makes sense – they have only one loss and are coming together after having to build an almost entirely new receiving corps.

A lot is on the line here, including, potentially, home-field advantage in the playoffs. It is also the homecoming for Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker ever with two Super Bowl-winning field goals and a couple of huge kicks in the playoffs. He was allowed to leave by the Patriots and signed last spring with the Colts – for whom he made a winning field goal at Denver last Sunday.

Given the Colts’ history in New England, Indy is due to lose …

PATRIOTS, 27-24.

Denver (plus 3) at Pittsburgh

Funny that the Steelers are favored after an awful loss in Oakland.

Or maybe not funny – Pittsburgh will be desperate.

STEELERS, 19-13

Cincinnati (plus 3) at Baltimore

It took eight seasons, but Brian Billick proved once again he knows offense.

RAVENS, 23-17

Kansas City (plus 21â2) at St. Louis

The Rams’ defense was exposed in San Diego. And again?

CHIEFS, 31-26

Dallas (minus 3) at Washington

Momentum – Romentum – works for Dallas.

COWBOYS, 24-10

Miami (plus 131â2) at Chicago

Bears swear they’re not looking ahead to the Giants.

BEARS, 37-8

Houston (plus 13) at New York Giants

Giants swear they’re not looking ahead to game against the Bears.

GIANTS, 37-8

Oakland (plus 7) at Seattle (Monday night)

The Raiders will need more than 98 yards of offense to win this week.

SEAHAWKS, 24-7

New Orleans (minus 1) at Tampa Bay

Bounceback time.

SAINTS, 27-13

Atlanta (minus 51â2) at Detroit

Lots of running space for Vick and Dunn.

FALCONS, 35-20

Minnesota (minus 51â2) at San Francisco

Bad as the Niners were in Chicago, they are competitive at home despite having little defense.

VIKINGS, 27-20

Cleveland (plus 121â2) at San Diego

The Browns have lost only once by more than 121â2 points this season.

Make it twice.

CHARGERS, 27-13

Tennessee (plus 9) at Jacksonville

Vince Young is improving, the Jags are unpredictable.

But …

JAGUARS, 17-10

Green Bay (plus 3) at Buffalo

Favre to get victory over Losman.

PACKERS, 20-19