New England Patriots Season Odds Preview

Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for New England as they were breaking in a lot of new young players on defense. Instead, the Patriots cruised to the NFL’s best record at 14-2 and dominated most of the regular season before being upset by the New York Jets in the playoffs.

This offseason, New England went out and got even better, adding big playmakers on both sides of the ball. Led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, New England has been one of the most consistently dominant teams in the NFL for a decade; and this year shouldn’t be any different.

Odds to Win AFC East: -165
Regular Season Win Total: Over 11.5 (-115)
Props: MVP Odds Tom Brady 6/1

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Tom Brady was simply surgeon-like last season, passing for 3,900 yards with a ridiculous 36-to-4 touchdown to interception ratio en route to his second NFL MVP award. Already loaded with wideouts Wes Welker and Deion Branch and tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots acquired wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to give Brady another great option down the field.

Though known for their passing game, New England was great on the ground too last season, finishing ninth in the league (123.3 yards per game) in rushing behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis’s 1,008-yard season. He is joined this year by two dynamic backs drafted by the Patriots in Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley.

On defense, the Patriots struggled against the pass early in the year but got better as the season went on. Defensive end Shaun Ellis and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth were brought in to beef up the defensive line. These two should help the Patriots get a lot more pressure on the quarterback.

With Bill Belichick’s uncanny ability to get the most out of his players and make the locker room gel, and Tom Brady’s elite play at quarterback, New England enters every year as a Super Bowl favorite. Even with the Jets establishing themselves as one of the NFL’s elite, the AFC East is still New England’s to lose; and with eight division titles in the last 10 years, they’ve been one of the NFL’s safest bets.

Week 1: at Miami

NFC West Odds at Bodog as of August 29:
New England -165
New York Jets +185
Miami Dolphins +900
Buffalo Bills +2000

2011 New England Patriots Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 12 NE @ MIA (Sun Life Stadium 7:00pm ESPN)
02 Sep 18 SD @ NE (Gillette Stadium 4:15pm CBS)
03 Sep 25 NE @ BUF (Ralph Wilson Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
04 Oct 02 NE @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:15pm CBS)
05 Oct 09 NYJ @ NE (Gillette Stadium 4:15pm CBS)
06 Oct 16 DAL @ NE (Gillette Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
07 Bye    
08 Oct 30 NE @ PIT (Heinz Field 4:15pm CBS)
09 Nov 06 NYG @ NE (Gillette Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
10 Nov 13 NE @ NYJ (MetLife Stadium 8:20pm NBC)
11 Nov 21 KC @ NE (Gillette Stadium 8:30pm ESPN)
12 Nov 27 NE @ PHI (Lincoln Financial Field 4:15pm CBS)
13 Dec 04 IND @ NE (Gillette Stadium 8:20pm NBC)
14 Dec 11 NE @ WAS (FedExField 1:00pm CBS)
15 Dec 18 NE @ DEN (Sports Authority Field at Mile High 4:15pm CBS)
16 Dec 24 MIA @ NE (Gillette Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
17 Jan 01 BUF @ NE (Gillette Stadium 1:00pm CBS)