Usually favorites or underdogs in playoffs?

[PatsFaninAZ]

I was trying to think of other playoff games during the Belichick era where we've gone into games as significant underdogs. I don't usually pay attention to lines, but I thought it might be fun to try to go back and reconstruct. I've indicated below what my hunch or vague memory is, but does anyone know what the lines actually were for these games?

2001

Division playoffs v. Raiders. (My guess -- pick 'em or close.) home
Conf. Championship v. Steelers (We were serious underdogs) road
Superbowl v. Rams (We were serious underdogs) neutral

2003

Divisional playoffs v. Titans (My guess is we were a significant favorite) home
Conf. Championship v. Colts (Probably pretty close) home
Superblow v. Panthers (We were favorites by at least a few points) neutral

2004

Division playoff v. Colts (Probably we were slightly favored) home
Conference championship v. Steelers (I would think we were underdogs) road
Superbowl v. Eagles (We were favorites) neutral

2005

Division playoff v. Jags (we were probably favorites) home
Division playoffs v. Broncos (we were underdogs) road

2006

Division playoff v. Jets (we were heavy favorites) home


So by my count we were underdogs at least for 4 of these games and possibly for as many as 6. It's interesting that our only road wins during these games were in Pittsburgh. We're 2-1 on the road during the Belichick era, 3-0 in neutral sites, and 6-0 at home. (Going back further, though, we've been a good playoff road team, including winning 3 games in the playoffs on the road leading to superbowl 20.)

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

you can't really compare the 2nd round to other rounds of the playoffs. The favorite in the 2nd round is always one of the top 2 teams in the league and has had an extra week of rest.

I agree though that seeing the Patriots as an underdog has long since worried me.

oh, and I'm pretty sure the Colts were favored in both '03 and '04.