The Upcoming NE Game

[Arky]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Vegas obviously thinks Belichek will rest his starters for most of the game, which seems like a big assumption to make ?
Often in games like this there's no spread, no book offered since the priority the Pats asssign to winning the game is uncertain.

Just guessing but they may be thinking that NE has already clinched and therefore they will have a letdown..... Doesn't mean that NE will be "resting". Brady, et al may play the whole game... they may not play "inspired", though... What's the motive? 3rd seed? Big deal... It's looking like the road to the AFC championship game is going through Indy and San Diego anyway so, 3rd seed may not mean much...

If the oddsmakers wanted to entice the Eastern/New England money into the mix, then they give the Texans the big number.... Frankly, I'd probably have it more like a pick'em game or Texans by two... but 7.5? 9?

There was a time roughly 15-25 years ago when you could really scarf on the last 2 games of the season when teams had already clinched.... Betting the dog against a favored-and-already-clinched team was almost an automatic win. The Jets covering (and winning) against an undefeated Colts team last week is a perfect example. (Just imagine if you had wagered on the Colts - I reckon there are some real unhappy people in Indy with the way *that* unfolded) Nowadays, it is almost like the oddsmakers overcompensate for this situation - thus the crazy spread....