Patriots Huge Favorites To Begin Season Against Buffalo Bills

NFL News - September 11th, 2009 - Written by John

DSI Online Sportsbook has pegged this game as their feature match-up probably for more ways than one.

To start, both teams look considerably different than their 2008 team photo, losing key players on both sides of the ball and in the coaching room.

Gone are offensive coordinators Josh McDaniels and Turk Schonert, defensive stars Rodney Harrison (retired), Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour (both traded), and offensive playmakers Marshawn Lynch (suspended), Matt Cassel and Jason Peters (both traded).

Gone are the illusions that the AFC East is a one-trick pony after the Miami Dolphins made the biggest one-season turnaround in league history to qualify for the playoffs.

And gone is the media circus that surrounded the Jets after bringing Brett Favre out of retirement.

But it's what's coming in that may be more important; a group of new faces that could dramatically change the look of the league. Okay, so maybe Tom Brady isn't a new face, but his return from season-ending knee surgery will certainly shift the power of the conference in some regard. Terrell Owens suits up for his first game with the Bills,  brought in to bring life to the anemic passing game. The Bills had a total of 248 passing yards against the Patriots in two meetings last year, and scored only 10 points combined.

They are currently riding a 10-game losing streak against the division rival in that span.
Having Owens as a target should help Edwards in his third year under center. Buffalo started last season 4-0 before losing nine of their last 12 games.

They are without Schonert after head coach Dick Jauron fired him upon a miserable preseason where the first-team offense scored only three points in 15 possessions. They will still try to institute the no-huddle offense in hopes of confusing the defense and exploiting their down-field passing attack. Fred Jackson will be the feature back for the Bills, filling in for Lynch, who was suspended three games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The Patriots still have a lot at stake, as well. They become the first team in NFL history to win 11 games and miss the playoffs in '08. Four starters from last season's defense will be absent after retirement and trades, as will McDaniels after taking the head coaching job in Denver.

New England fans are thrilled, however, to be welcoming back a healthy Tom Brady this season. If he is able to return to the same form that saw him become arguably the best quarterback in the NFL, the Patriots will once again be a juggernaut offensively this season. They have plenty of weapons for him on offense with Randy Moss and Wes Welker leading the way. The Patriots are the favorites to hold the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the year. They currently have 7-to-2 odds of winning the Super Bowl, according to Bodog.

Many of the most popular Online Sportsbooks have the Patriots listed as the favorite for this game at -11 with an over/under of 47 1/2.

Betting Lines Above Can Also Be Found At Bodog, Bookmaker and DSI Sportsbooks

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