New England Patriots Odds - Patriots are the Super Bowl XLIV betting favorite
It’s not exactly a surprise to online betting handicappers that the New England Patriots odds for Super Bowl XLIV list them as the favorite. They’ve created an environment where not only are they fully competitive each year, but they are also strongly competing for the Super Bowl. Here's why you should keep your eyes on the Patriots lines:
New England Patriots odds: +650 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Quarterback Tom Brady is healthy and ready to lead
- Explosive offense is ready to take flight again
- Patriots have rebuilt their defense through the draft
The Patriots endured some shock to the system last year when their star quarterback Tom Brady was injured in the first game of the season last year but, in their typical fashion, they took it in stride. The good news is that their Pro Bowl star is back, and their offense has developed while he was gone.
The Patriots lived without a whole lot more than just Brady last year, which is why the Patriots odds are much higher this season. The Pats played most of the season without running back Laurence Maroney and missed many of their key defenders throughout chunks of last year. Yet their offense already looks strong, and not just because Brady’s back; with the additions of veterans like Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway, the Patriots look downright scary. Galloway and Taylor appear to be the typical Bill Belichick pickups where their former team found no use for them, but under Belichick, those players will thrive.
Sportsbook odds makers will have to set high over/unders for every Patriots game because of the amount of firepower they have. Galloway will be their third wide receiver while Taylor will split carries with Maroney, which makes the backfield as dangerous as it has been under Belichick. Along with talented tight end Alex Smith, those weapons are now added to a core that includes Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Ben Thomas.
But one of the reasons while the Patriots odds so heavily favor them to win Super Bowl XLIV is because they have replenished their entire defense. Pro Bowlers like Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour and Ty Warren remain while a host of young draft picks and prospects are ready to step up. Jerod Mayo, Terrence Wheatley, James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung give the Patriots a ridiculous amount of depth.
The Patriots odds to win the division look fantastic as nobody in the AFC East can contend with their depth. The Patriots will be able to take on injuries and keep on trekking but if their healthy, they’ll be unstoppable. Even losing their offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, and general manager, Scott Pioli, doesn’t even affect the Patriots odds. With a roster full of savvy veterans, talented Pro Bowlers and up-and-coming youngsters, there is no reason to doubt the Patriots odds for the 2009 season.
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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.
