Pats 23.5 point favorites against eagles, Largest point spread ever.

[brady199]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3120882&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

 

[ATippett56]

I love the following quote:

"The Jets game is the one to watch," said Van Patten. "The perception, at least, is that Belichick is running up the score because he's angry over Spygate. And he was caught by the Jets back in the first week of the season. It's gonna be payback time."

 

[Disco Volante]

On Dec. 5, 1976, the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 24-point underdogs to the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers covered easily, winning 42-0.

Aw, I want to beat that.

"McNabb is worth four more points, in my opinion," said Van Patten. "Which means if he doesn't play Sunday, the spread in this game could set the record."

God damn, this thing may go to 27?

 

[Tunescribe]

This kind of stuff is just going to inspire opposing teams to play out of their minds. I can't see any upside here for the Patriots.

 

[Disco Volante]

This kind of stuff is just going to inspire opposing teams to play out of their minds. I can't see any upside here for the Patriots.

Trust me, no outside influence can help a team against the Patriots.

A player who’s still recovering from a life threatening injury addressing the entire stadium via the jumbotron for the first time asking the team to beat the Patriots right before kickoff is without a doubt one of the most motivational things a team could have.

How did that turn out for them?

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

This kind of stuff is just going to inspire opposing teams to play out of their minds. I can't see any upside here for the Patriots.

I was thinking the same thing too. However...

They're down to their 3rd string SS(Quinten Mickells has an MCL sprain), Dawkins is banged up(a thigh contusion, although not serious, but he's also recovering from a neck injury back in wk2), and Lito still has a bum knee(suffered in wk1).

Pt being that HOW can Jim Johnson come out with alot of aggressive blitz packages with a wounded secondary? And on top of that, their front 4 hasn't gotten alot of pressure on the QB(even Washington's beat up line kept them in check).

And for that matter too, Mickells IS their ST captain. So field position could very well become an issue for them too.

I believe in the phrase "On any given Sunday", but honestly-with all these circumstances, I'm not sure.