Year of the Underdog: Pats not favored in a single game

[Stu Pidassle]

On a positive note, zero expectations and the opportunity to create an "everyone doubted us" attitude seems like a good place to develop the new QB and coaching staff. As long as they compete and demonstrate progress, they will have the support of the fanbase.

 

[borisman]

Panthers, Patriots are underdogs in every game

The Panthers and Patriots will be at the bottom of the NFL this season, if the betting lines are to be believed.

www.nbcsports.com

The Pats, and the Panthers (man they suck!) for that matter, are not favored in any games in 2024...

buckle up that chinstrap and tighten that belt... 2024 is going to be some tough sledding...



2024 Patriots look ahead lines
Bengals: +8.5 Total 43
Seattle: +2.5 Total 42.5
Jets: +7.5 Total 42
49ers: +11.5 Total 45
Dolphins: +3.5 Total 45
Texans: +4 Total 44
Jaguars: +6 Total 42.5 (London)
Jets: +3.5 Total 42
Titans: +2.5 Total 41
Bears: +4.5 Total 41
Rams: +4 Total 44.5
Miami: +6.5 Total 44.5
Colts: +2 Total 44
Arizona: +3 Total 44
Bills:+7.5 Total 44.5
Chargers: +2.5 Total 41
Bills: +3.5 Total 44.5

Odds may vary depending on source... I copy pasted them from
https://985thesportshub.com/2024/05/16/353727/

I didn't see this thread yesterday so I noted in the Pats Schedule Thread that the Pats were favored over Houston (week 6) but an underdog to Indy, both at home. I thought that was strange lines.
Here is the link for various reputable casinos.

NFL Odds & Lines 2026-27 | NFL Playoff Odds

Find NFL Odds from multiple Sportsbooks, Betting Lines and Spreads, and notable moves each week of the 2026-27 NFL Season.

www.vegasinsider.com

 

[Pape]

I didn't see this thread yesterday so I noted in the Pats Schedule Thread that the Pats were favored over Houston (week 6) but an underdog to Indy, both at home. I thought that was strange lines.
Here is the link for various reputable casinos.

NFL Odds & Lines 2026-27 | NFL Playoff Odds

Find NFL Odds from multiple Sportsbooks, Betting Lines and Spreads, and notable moves each week of the 2026-27 NFL Season.

www.vegasinsider.com

That must have been a misprint... There is no way NE would be favored over the Texans at this point.

 

[Dec54]

I am too, new regime, new QB, get another top ten pick and with Maye getting some experience maybe we compete for a playoff spot next year and then, who knows as long as it's up.

I think 5-12 or 6-11 would be an OK season considering the last one. Then a good draft, and we are one more step closer to the play offs.

 

[Joey007]

Will be nice to have the number 1 pick next year and use it to build around Maye by trading down for a bounty.

This is a scenario where I'm all for the trade down.

Only issue is, will there be a QB a team will give up a ransom to trade up for?

 

[Joey007]

I think we're better this year, but when I do the game-by-game, 6-11 looks like a stretch.

I think we get to that 6 win range, with most of the wins coming late in the season.

I think we beat the Chargers and Bills at home to finish off the season, could definitely beat Arizona as well. Think '93 Patriots type of season finish.

 

[borisman]

That must have been a misprint... There is no way NE would be favored over the Texans at this point.

Not a typo. The link I posted has a few of the services as Pats -1 now. Not trying to argue. Just pointing out what I saw before I even saw this thread.

 

[NCPATSFAN1971]

If they're going to lose every game then why watch?

Perhaps I have a different way of looking at being an underdog for every game this coming season. For me, it's "Back to the Future" because I can remember back when the Pats were the doormat of the league and expected to lose every game.

One game really stands out back in the 70's when the Heavily Favored "Steel Curtain" and Mean Joe Green's Pittsburg Steelers came to Foxboro. My next door neighbor and I were listening to the game on the radio in his garage because of course the game wasn't sold out and not on local TV.

It was cold but we were drinking cold beers nonetheless. Anyhow the Steelers thought the Pat's was going to be an easy win and so did everyone else. But for some reason the game was still close late in 4th quarter. Then the Steelers kicked a field goal but the Pats committed a penalty and Chuck Knoll decided to take the 3 points off the scoreboard and go for a touchdown to put the lowly Patriots down for good. I think Bradshaw was the Pitt QB and he threw an interception. The Pats scored a touchdown and some of my memory is cloudy on the rest of the game but the Patriots won! I can still remember my neighbor and I blaring car horn and how great the outcome of this particular game was. So even though I would rather that we were favored to win every game this season there can be some rewards of being a constant underdog. "Greatest show on turf" anyone?

Underdog? Bring it on! We still have a pretty decent defense and come on man, how many games did we lose last season because Mac, et al, threw a stupid and I mean stupid interception. Hell we had 3 losses in a row by a total of 10 points. I repeat - That's 10 Points Total! Yes, our offensive line might still be shaky but will it be worse than last season? I don't think so.

I can't speak for anyone else but I'm actually looking forward to this season. . .

 

[archstanton543]

If they're going to lose every game then why watch?

Because, for me, it's a fun time to hang out with friends and drink. Because I'm a long-time fan and I'll watch them win, lose or draw.

And no one knows I'd they're "going" to lose every game (I don't think they will this year...but I don't think they'll win many games). That's the fun if watching sports. The whole betting craziness going on right now is predicated on the fact that you don't know who's going to win.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

I think we get to that 6 win range, with most of the wins coming late in the season.

I think we beat the Chargers and Bills at home to finish off the season, could definitely beat Arizona as well. Think '93 Patriots type of season finish.

Ya, I'm thinking 7 cuz I'm a homer... But it wouldn't be the worst outcome if we lost mostly close games and have a ****ty record, so we'd have one more shot at really good draft picks.

 

[PatsfanTN]

Panthers, Patriots are underdogs in every game

The Panthers and Patriots will be at the bottom of the NFL this season, if the betting lines are to be believed.

www.nbcsports.com

The Pats, and the Panthers (man they suck!) for that matter, are not favored in any games in 2024...

buckle up that chinstrap and tighten that belt... 2024 is going to be some tough sledding...



2024 Patriots look ahead lines
Bengals: +8.5 Total 43
Seattle: +2.5 Total 42.5
Jets: +7.5 Total 42
49ers: +11.5 Total 45
Dolphins: +3.5 Total 45
Texans: +4 Total 44
Jaguars: +6 Total 42.5 (London)
Jets: +3.5 Total 42
Titans: +2.5 Total 41
Bears: +4.5 Total 41
Rams: +4 Total 44.5
Miami: +6.5 Total 44.5
Colts: +2 Total 44
Arizona: +3 Total 44
Bills:+7.5 Total 44.5
Chargers: +2.5 Total 41
Bills: +3.5 Total 44.5

Odds may vary depending on source... I copy pasted them from
https://985thesportshub.com/2024/05/16/353727/

That’s fine, low expectations this year anyhow. Anyone who thinks otherwise hasn’t been watching.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think we're better this year, but when I do the game-by-game, 6-11 looks like a stretch.

They will be in each, and every game this season. With this defense no team on the schedule will blow them out.

 

[Real fan 02]

That’s fine, low expectations this year anyhow. Anyone who thinks otherwise hasn’t been watching.

2024 is the year of the QB. It's all about Drake and his development.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Honest question… normally a new HC gets a mulligan no matter what year one. But, let’s say oddsmakers nail it and the unthinkable happens: 0-17.

Does Mayo survive?

 

[Dec54]

Honest question… normally a new HC gets a mulligan no matter what year one. But, let’s say oddsmakers nail it and the unthinkable happens: 0-17.

Does Mayo survive?

Can't see 0-17 but even if it did you have to give Mayo more time. Re structuring does not happen over night. SB in three seasons ?

 

[BTTA]

Will be nice to have the number 1 pick next year and use it to build around Maye by trading down for a bounty.

Yup, could use that to finally stabilize RG.

 

[Pape]

Honest question… normally a new HC gets a mulligan no matter what year one. But, let’s say oddsmakers nail it and the unthinkable happens: 0-17.

Does Mayo survive?

Yes

 

[Pape]

It's all about Drake and his development.

spot on, great point.

The way the schedule breaks with the late season bye week, its only after week 14 that I would even begin thinking about seeing him on the field. Can't even see him hitting the field for mop up duty before then.

Its paramount that they correct his mechanical flaws - concentrate on that one aspect in year 1. Only then should AVP work on bringing him up to game speed with the playbook. There should be no rush to get him out on the field. One thing at a time.

 

[sb1]

It’s kinda relaxing having a season where you’re not living and dying with each game.

 

[Thelonious]

For at least the second year in a row, progress in the rebuild is more important than wins, and - unpleasant truth be told - there is the case to be made that pursuit of the latter impedes pursuit of the former. Welcome to Bill's extended retirement party.