The Patriots

Laying 22 points to the Eagles this weekend.

That's twenty-fucking-two points. Three touchdowns +.

Biggest spread I've ever seen outside of this one chick Grid brought to Eddie's Lakeside on a Friday night a few years back.

 

that's ridiculous.


I remember Nebraska -20 to Missouri a few years ago, and thought that was really fucking stupid. I think that game went to OT, only game I ever considered betting on.

 

I agree. And I'd like to tell you that I am taking the 22 just on principle because I think it's ridiculous too.

But I stopped that shit when my principles went bust after the first Buffalo (+17) and then Wash (+17) games.

 

I have some buddies in philly that are huge eagles fans. they all said they would need a minimum of 25 points to even consider taking the eagles.

i am heading up to boston to see this game. it'll be interesting to see how they look in person.

 

Perfect for Belicheck, now all he has to say is "the spread was 22...I had to score alot or the mafia would be after me."

 

I'd be giving the points if I was betting on it. The Eagles suck almost as bad as the Panthers.

 

38-6 pats

 

Vegas is losing thier asses on the Pats so they keep pushing the line trying to make some money back...personally, I'd take it at 30 points.

 

I've seen plenty of spreads like this in college but NEVER in the pros. I'd still give the points though

 

nah. i can assure you they are not losing their asses on the Pats. The line is a mechanism to entice equal action on each side of the bet so they are guaranteed a profit. If heavy action had been placed on the patriots the line would shift accordingly. If the action doesn't change, the line continues to move or they take the game off the board.

As an example, reports are that the number has moved to 23.5 in some places and it's off the board in others. A large move like this leaves them open to a great deal of risk because if he game lands in the middle, they lose the majority of the bets placed.

Edit: According to this article, the line opened at 17 points and the heavy Patriots action moved the number to 22 in minutes. At the moment, that is a 6.5 point swing. I have never seen anything like this...even with a significant injury occuring prior to a game. It is also an interesting point about the Jets game.

Pats-Eagles point spread largest ever not involving expansion team
By Sal Paolantonio

PHILADELPHIA -- Just three seasons after being separated by just three points in Super Bowl XXXIX, the gap between the Patriots and Eagles has widened to historic proportions: Philly is a 23½-point underdog.


That is the largest point spread for an NFL game that does not involve an expansion team, according to odds-making experts in Las Vegas.

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.

"Nowadays, you don't see too many spreads over 16 or 17 points," said Sean Van Patten, an oddsmaker at Sports Consultants in Las Vegas. "That's because most teams take their starters out in the fourth quarter of a lopsided game. The Patriots don't. I call this phenomenon The [Bill] Belichick Factor."

By continuing to pour it on the fourth quarter, Belichick is throwing Vegas out of whack. And making bookies run for cover.

It all started Sunday night after Belichick walked across the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium to shake hands with Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron, an awkward moment captured on national TV after the Patriots annihilated the Bills 56-10.

"The line for the Patriots-Eagles game was immediately set at 17 points -- and the big bettors, the sports syndicate guys, jumped on it, bet it hard," said Brandon Lang, whose life was depicted by Matthew McConaughey in the movie "Two for the Money" and is regarded as the nation's leading sports handicapper.

According to bookies and oddsmakers, all the big money took the Patriots and gave the points. Why? Because Belichick has been running up the score.

"So the spread jumped all the way to 22 in a matter of minutes," said Lang.

"You add the fact that Donovan McNabb is injured and you have the perfect storm," said a bookie in South Philadelphia who asked not to be identified.

McNabb has a swollen thumb on his right (throwing) hand and a sprained ankle. He did not finish the game on Sunday, when the Eagles beat the Miami Dolphins in Philadelphia. On Monday, head coach Andy Reid said his franchise quarterback is day-to-day.

"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."

If the record is not set in this game, Van Patten said, don't be surprised if it is threatened in two of the Patriots' upcoming games -- against the New York Jets on Dec. 16 or the Dolphins on Dec. 23.

"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."