Monday Night Football betting – Broncos vs Patriots spread
Posted on 10/15/2008 1:57:20 PM
By Stan Simmons
Broncos vs Patriots spread: Broncos look to continue dominance over Pats
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WHO: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (-3)
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WHAT: Monday Night Football betting
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WHEN: Monday, October 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
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KEY STATS: Denver has won seven of its last 10 meetings with New England
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PICK: Denver on the road
The New England Patriots (3-2) were all but handed this year’s Super Bowl by most sportsbook odds, but then Tom Brady went down and the landscape of Super bowl futures changed dramatically.
The Patriots are coming off a daunting loss and things won’t get any easier when they host the Denver Broncos (4-2) at Gillette Stadium in this week’s Monday night game. The Broncos vs Patriots line gives the edge to New England, but Denver’s high-powered offense has proven difficult to slow down.
The Broncos were stung by three turnovers in a 24-17 loss at home to Jacksonville last week, and Denver has scored only 33 points in its last two games after averaging nearly 37 in its first four outings.
Jay Cutler was 21-of-37 for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he also turned the ball over twice. Denver’s 30th-ranked defense isn’t good enough to keep on the field for over 33 minutes because of turnovers, and Cutler must do a better job in that department.
The Broncos haven’t been good on the road recently, going 3-7 straight up in their past 10 and 2-8 against the spread. This is probably why they’re on the wrong end of Broncos vs Patriots odds.
The Patriots didn’t find the end zone until 5:18 remaining in the fourth quarter of a 30-10 loss in San Diego last week, but the defense can be blamed for itsshare of the loss as well.
New England uncharacteristically gave up a lot of big plays, which got the San Diego crowd into the game and fired up the Chargers. Matt Cassel went 22-of-38 for 203 yards and an interception but he looked very tentative when the Patriots went behind.
Making matters worse, Randy Moss was held to three receptions for only 26 yards, taking away the Patriots’ only legitimate deep threat. New England has won eight of its last 10 at Gillette straight up but, against the spread, it’s a disappointing 2-8.
Broncos vs Patriots betting also indicates this is the first time in ten games that the Patriots have been less than an 11-point favorite at home.
BLAKE’S PICK: The Broncos vs Patriots spread has New England as a three-point favorite at home, but the Pats have lost seven of their last 10 against the Broncos, including two in a row at home.
The Patriots will want to keep this game on the ground, where Denver is 26th in the NFLagainst the run. They certainly don’t want to get into a shootout with the Broncos, who will look to get the Cutler-Brandon Marshall duo going early.
The Denver defense has in improved in recent weeks, and it will be up to Cutler to outplay Cassel, who is under a lot of pressure. Bet on Denver with your Broncos vs Patriots pick, as the Broncos will make an AFC statement with a win on Monday night.
BetOnline.com offers the most comprehensive sportsbook in the entire industry, while the Betting Edge provides the hottest info and insight into the Broncos vs Patriots spread and other NFL lines.
Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping
has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much
time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps
the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or
questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
