BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
Before the Patriots-Bills game, New England was slated as a 17-point favorite vs. Philadelphia.
Now, the Patriots are 21-point favorites. The Las Vegas Hilton, the first Vegas hotel to release lines each week, installed New England as a 20-point favorite early Monday afternoon. According to the line-movement records at VegasInsider.com, it didn't take long for the line to jump to 20½, then 21, then 21½ as of this writing. And the line could go higher if Eagles QB Donovan McNabb can't play because of an injured ankle.
Yes, the oddsmakers are in full backpedal right now, trying to set a line that will attract some interest from professional, predominantly underdog-playing bettors willing to stand against the relentless Pats, who effortlessly covered the spread at Buffalo. The betting public? They are onboard with the Patriots, who have covered in 9-of-10 games this season.
LVSC senior oddsmaker Mike Seba, whose firm advises the majority of Nevada sports books on pointspreads, said that the Patriots exceeding the spread isn't a major problem so long is the spread doesn't open too low. He gave an example: If a team opens and finishes as a 17-point favorite and the team covers with ease, that's not bad for the books. However, if a team opens as a 17-point favorite, but the line goes to 20 and the favorite covers with ease, "then we have a problem," Seba said.
If the Patriots continue to play this well, they are likely to be favored by more than any other team at history at some point — and perhaps as early as Sunday night if McNabb sits out. According to LVSC records, the Steelers were 24-point favorites vs. Tampa Bay on Dec. 5, 1976. The Steelers won, and covered, 42-0. The Buccaneers finished the season winless.
A similar situation could unfold on Dec. 23, when the hapless Dolphins visit New England. According to Seba, the Patriots — provided they continue to play at such a high level and QB Tom Brady and, to a lesser extent, WR Randy Moss, stay healthy — could be favored by 28½ points.
The LVSC has also released its early Super Bowl lines. New England is favored by 15 vs. Dallas, 17 vs. Green Bay, 20 vs. the N.Y. Giants, 21 vs. Seattle and 22 vs. the rest of the NFC field.
Now, the Patriots are 21-point favorites. The Las Vegas Hilton, the first Vegas hotel to release lines each week, installed New England as a 20-point favorite early Monday afternoon. According to the line-movement records at VegasInsider.com, it didn't take long for the line to jump to 20½, then 21, then 21½ as of this writing. And the line could go higher if Eagles QB Donovan McNabb can't play because of an injured ankle.
Yes, the oddsmakers are in full backpedal right now, trying to set a line that will attract some interest from professional, predominantly underdog-playing bettors willing to stand against the relentless Pats, who effortlessly covered the spread at Buffalo. The betting public? They are onboard with the Patriots, who have covered in 9-of-10 games this season.
LVSC senior oddsmaker Mike Seba, whose firm advises the majority of Nevada sports books on pointspreads, said that the Patriots exceeding the spread isn't a major problem so long is the spread doesn't open too low. He gave an example: If a team opens and finishes as a 17-point favorite and the team covers with ease, that's not bad for the books. However, if a team opens as a 17-point favorite, but the line goes to 20 and the favorite covers with ease, "then we have a problem," Seba said.
If the Patriots continue to play this well, they are likely to be favored by more than any other team at history at some point — and perhaps as early as Sunday night if McNabb sits out. According to LVSC records, the Steelers were 24-point favorites vs. Tampa Bay on Dec. 5, 1976. The Steelers won, and covered, 42-0. The Buccaneers finished the season winless.
A similar situation could unfold on Dec. 23, when the hapless Dolphins visit New England. According to Seba, the Patriots — provided they continue to play at such a high level and QB Tom Brady and, to a lesser extent, WR Randy Moss, stay healthy — could be favored by 28½ points.
The LVSC has also released its early Super Bowl lines. New England is favored by 15 vs. Dallas, 17 vs. Green Bay, 20 vs. the N.Y. Giants, 21 vs. Seattle and 22 vs. the rest of the NFC field.
