Patriots Favored Over Jets For Division Bragging Rights

NFL News - November 18th, 2009 - Written by Glen

An embittered rivalry has been brewing between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets ever since their meeting in September. In their last meeting, the Jets crushed the Patriots by an eight point victory. Though the Jets won their first meeting with the Patriots, oddsmakers have come to presume that this match will end quite differently.

Last Sunday, the fans of the Patriots tucked their faces into their palms as Bill Belichick made a call that will remain on his record until the end of days. Rather than punt on a 4th and 2 situation, one in which the Patriots held the lead, Belichick decided to go for the first down. His decision not only failed to yield the first, but ended up costing the Patriots the game. Though the Jets are not an offensive behemoth as the Colts are, the Patriots Defense will have to pull together if they are going to take victory and prevent the sweep.

Both teams stand to lose something should they fail to take this game. The New York Jets are slipping out of the running for the playoffs, and can only suffer a few more defeats until they are bumped out of the chase. The Patriots, on the other hand, have to fight to prevent the sweep. Though the Jets won on their home field, they may not be able to repeat these results with the fans of the Patriots on their heels.

The defeat against the Colts will undoubtedly bring out the best in New England, causing them to fight harder for their title. Granted their coach made a bad call, Brady and his Patriots fought a good fight, and the 30 or more point game for the Patriots may become a recurring theme.

Sanchez has not been performing the greatest, though the young rookie has been showing his worth. The Jets ground game may enable them to get ahead, though they will unlikely be able to maintain a positive role in the game. The Patriots passing game, backed by Brady, Moss, and Welker, may prove too much for the Jets. With a completion percentage of 73.6 to Sanchez's 58.1, Brady may prove too much for the Jets defense.

One of the USA Online sportsbooks, Bookmaker, has odds posted on the money line for this game. The Patriots are the favorite, carrying odds of -550. The Jets will pay a whopping +450 for their victory, though they may be hard pressed to pull off the win. To cover the spread, the Jets would be facing +10.5 while the Patriots are gunning for a -10.5, and both lines pay -110, a standard pay out for this sort of NFL Betting Lines. Provided the Patriots are sufficiently demoralized from their loss against the Colts, the Jets may have an opportunity, but this could be one of those games where the favorite is the best choice.

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