Can the Patriots beat a 20-1/2 point spread tonight?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

That's a LOT of points, especially given how the Eagles kept pace with them at home last week.

That said, the Patriots are awesome and well-rested going into tonight's game. I'm predicting a win by 17, not quite the 20-1/2 my line is calling for. . .

Other predictions?

lendaddy · 12-03-2007, 03:17 PM

I have the line at 19, but yeas they will cover. Balt has ZERO offense.

the · 12-03-2007, 03:30 PM

I don't know, they may be coming apart, they didn't kill the Eagles, and what about this from October:

October 11, 2007
Patriots Stunned By Mere 17-Point Victory

BOSTON—The Patriots organization is reeling this week following their narrow 34-17 victory over the lowly Browns, taking stock of their game-planning methods, philosophy, and indeed their entire season in the aftermath of a game in which they gained barely more than 500 total yards, came within seconds of failing to cover the spread, and scored only twice as much as their opponent.

"I think it's too early to call the season a failure," said visibly shaken Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who was called into the office of owner Robert Kraft Monday morning and officially placed on probation in light of the insufficiently dominant victory. "I wish to extend my deepest apologies to the Patriots fans and ask them to continue supporting the players and the team. All the blame for Sunday's victory has to lie with me."

Practices have been subdued and intense this week as players struggle to adjust offensive and defensive schemes that were unable to put the Browns away until late in the first quarter, produced a scant 4.4 yards per rush—only 0.6 yards over the league average—and had to rely on two interceptions and a fumble recovery to finally go up by more than 10 points.

"I have to take my share of the blame," said quarterback Tom Brady, who has already drawn moderate criticism this season for throwing only three touchdowns in each of the Patriots' games so far. "With two minutes left in the fourth quarter, I missed [tight end] Kyle [Brady] in the end zone. Any other greatest quarterback makes that touchdown pass and we win by 24—not outstanding, but at least it would have given us some pride in the locker room. As it was, we couldn't look each other in the eye."

Although Belichick has refused to discuss personnel moves, Patriots insiders say that benching Brady for next week's game against undefeated Dallas was a definite possibility. All-pro tight end Ben Watson, who only scored twice against the Browns and struggled to produce a 106-yard performance, will almost certainly lose his starting job. Backup running back Samuel Morris managed only 102 yards on 21 carries and is generally acknowledged to be finished in the NFL. And wideout Randy Moss, held to only 49 yards, is almost certain to be traded by next week.

"It was probably my worst game as a pro," said linebacker Junior Seau, who was almost invisible for the whole game, only able to intercept a total of two Derek Anderson passes all game and none in the second half. "Not that I was alone out there. Randall [Gay] only recovered one fumble for a touchdown. And I hate to call out the other unit, but there were a couple of times when the offensive line almost gave up their fourth sack of the season."

"I've tried so hard to build a culture of winning here, and this is the kind of win we get," Belichick said at a post-practice press conference Wednesday. "This team has so much wrong with it, it's hard to believe we've managed to only lose zero games."

lendaddy · 12-03-2007, 03:35 PM

Nevermind, it's at 18 but I guess the winds are pretty bad.

89911 · 12-03-2007, 03:52 PM

Baltimore has a consistently terrible offense and a great defense every other year. And this is the other year. They might keep it close for a while but Kyle Boller isn't putting fear into anybody on their defense.

lendaddy · 12-03-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89911

Baltimore has a consistently terrible offense and a great defense every other year. And this is the other year. They might keep it close for a while but Kyle Boller isn't putting fear into anybody on their defense.

I'm sure that it will please you to know that I hate Ray Lewis more than any player in NFL history. I hate him more than OJ, I even hate him more than that fake sob Cower

dd74 · 12-03-2007, 04:05 PM

They'll win. But they won't beat the spread. I think they're wearing out just in time for the playoffs. Hopefully then, a quality team, like the San Diego SUPERCHARGERS, will knock 'em off.

TyFenn · 12-03-2007, 04:06 PM

I predict a New England victory, not covering the spread and someone important from the Patriots getting injured. Maroney, more than likely will NOT get 100 yards. Moss: 107 yds and a td. Welker might be the injured player.

Of course, I hope no one gets injured.

gassy · 12-03-2007, 04:07 PM

The Pats are pissed for 3 reasons.
1. The whole stealing signs from the Jets crap.
2. Crap about running up the score on teams. It's football, not shuffleboard.
3. Beating the Eagles by less than 72 pts.

They're gonna whup it up tonight. They win by 21, if not more.
Christian.

TyFenn · 12-03-2007, 04:08 PM

I can't wait to see what the spread will be when the Pats play the Jets...

JCF · 12-03-2007, 04:11 PM

Weather (wind) might be a factor.
Baltimores D might make it a game.
After last week no sure thing but Pats should win - I'll say by 17

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Take the 19
Baltimore has no O but they can still play D

Flatbutt1 · 12-03-2007, 04:14 PM

anybody know if this is on TVU tonite?

dd74 · 12-03-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Marano Jr

Baltimore has no O but they can still play D

So there's really no "Ray" of hope, right?

lendaddy · 12-03-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatbutt1

anybody know if this is on TVU tonite?

Usually about game time, I can give you a link to an sopcast. I have another but you need a pretty fast connection I guess to keep it from freezing up.

gassy · 12-03-2007, 04:23 PM

It's on ESPN

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by TyFenn

I can't wait to see what the spread will be when the Pats play the Jets...

Yea, they're gonna be looking to put a BIG hurtin' on them. I don't know what the spread will be, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them win that game by about 40 points.

lendaddy · 12-03-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gassy

It's on ESPN

My basic/basic cable package doesn't get ESPN.

Flatbutt1 · 12-03-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Usually about game time, I can give you a link to an sopcast. I have another but you need a pretty fast connection I guess to keep it from freezing up.

sop?

lendaddy · 12-03-2007, 04:36 PM

http://www.sopcast.com/

download the player (middle of page). Then I'll post a link that you paste in your web-browser and it will automatically start the player in a new window.