New England Patriots > Patriots Blog
(PHOTO: Nov 23, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots line up during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports) On Wednesday afternoon the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook released their advanced betting lines, also known as look-ahead lines. These early lines give some clairvoyant risk takers an opportunity to roll the dice on games that will not be played for another week and a half. There are times when public reaction to the most recent game clouds reality, and for a moment one can exploit the odds on an overrated or underrated team – or be done in by an unforeseen injury.
Week 8 features a rematch between New England and Buffalo. In the first game between these two original AFL rivals at Foxboro the Bills handed the Patriots their sole loss of the season. With rookie Jacoby Brisset under center Buffalo dominated, shutting the Pats out 16-0. Even though the Patriots are on the road against a 4-2, the handicappers at the Westgate have listed the Pats as the second biggest favorite of the week.
Another team seeking payback for an earlier loss is Denver. The Broncos were stunned in front of a national audience last Thursday at San Diego, overpowered by a feisty Charger team that once again attempted to give the game away in the final minutes. In the largest spread of the week the Broncos are favored by seven.
At the other end of the spectrum Oakland at Tampa Bay is listed as a pick’em. The next closest line belongs to a game between two teams that have not lived up to preseason expectations. 1-5 Carolina is a one-point home favorite versus Arizona. The Panthers are coming off a bye while the 3-3 Cardinals look to keep momentum going after demolishing the Jets 28-3.
The Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers are all off with a bye.
Thursday October 27:
2-3 Jacksonville Jaguars at 3-3 Tennessee Titans (-3) [NFLN]
Sunday October 30 Early Games:
4-2 Washington Redskins ‘at’ 2-4 Cincinnati Bengals (-3) in London [FOX]
3-3 Detroit Lions at 4-2 Houston Texans (-3) [FOX]
4-1 Seattle Seahawks at 2-3 New Orleans Saints (-5½) [FOX]
5-1 New England Patriots (-6) at 4-2 Buffalo Bills [CBS]
1-5 New York Jets (-3) at 0-6 Cleveland Browns [CBS]
4-2 Oakland Raiders at 2-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PK) [CBS]
3-2 Kansas City Chiefs (-2½) at 2-4 Indianapolis Colts [CBS]
3-3 Arizona Cardinals at 1-5 Carolina Panthers (-1) [FOX]
Sunday October 30 Late Games:
2-4 San Diego Chargers at 4-2 Denver Broncos (-7) [CBS]
3-2 Green Bay Packers at 4-2 Atlanta Falcons (-2½) [FOX]
3-2 Philadelphia Eagles at 5-1 Dallas Cowboys (-4½) [NBC]
Monday October 31:
5-0 Minnesota Vikings (-5½) at 1-5 Chicago Bears [BSPN]
As for Thursday’s game, Green Bay should win at home easily. Something does seem off with the Packer offense, whether it be the play calling or Aaron Rodgers adjusting to footballs that are not over-inflated. Green Bay’s defense is improved over recent years however, and Chicago does not have the level of talent to keep up.
1-5 Chicago Bears at 3-2 Green Bay Packers
Thursday, October 20 at 8:30 pm ET on CBS; Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
Packers -7½ . . . . over/under 46½ . . . . GNB -350, CHI +290
Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 13
Packers -7½ (one unit) . . . . . under 46½ . . . . . Green Bay -350
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