Get a $500 Bonus on a $500 Deposit at BetUS!

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

It’s been a much different start to the 2008 NFL season for the New England Patriots than we saw a season ago when they were running up the score on everyone they faced. Still, New England is 3-2 without Tom Brady and odds makers like New England to get to 4-2 this week. The Patriots are listed as the 3-point favorite with the total set at 48 for this week’s Monday Night Football matchup with Denver.

Since losing reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady to a season-ending knee injury, the Patriots have not looked much like the team which ran the table in the regular season a year ago. Replacement Matt Cassel and the Patriots offense have had trouble moving the football, eclipsing the 20-point mark just once in the team’s first five game.

The defense has encountered some problems as well, giving up 89 points while losing two of their last three games. If New England is going to come away with a victory this Monday night, they are going to have to limit the big plays. San Diego’s Phillip Rivers was able to hit the Patriots with three completions of 48 yards or more last Sunday night.

Cassel was solid, completing 22 of 38 passes for 203 yards in the loss, but he was picked off for the third straight week and was dumped four times by the defense. He has been sacked an AFC-high 19 times this season.

New England can surely benefit from a strengthened running attack. Top running back Laurence Maroney sat out once again last week as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury. His status is uncertain for Monday’s game. The Patriots could use him at 100 percent as the team is yet to have a player rush for more than 100 yards in a game this season.

Just how rare would a loss be for the Patriots in this situation? Well, let’s put things in perspective. New England has not lost three times or more in four games since 2002. In other words, betting NFL on the Patriots has been very lucrative this decade. If you think New England will get back on track at home this week, bet the Patriots at -3 at Bookmaker and get a 20% cash bonus.

If any team can hand New England a rare third loss in a four game stretch, it’s the Denver Broncos which have won 16 of 19 meetings against the Pats. But like New England, Denver is going to have to do a better job at limiting the big plays.

The Broncos are allowing an AFC-worst 6.24 yards per play and have allowed 400 or more totals yards three times in 2008. They gave up 416 yards at home to Jacksonville in last week’s loss.

Denver’s high-powered offense was able to outscore its opponents while the defense struggled early on, but now the offense has cooled off considerably. The Broncos scored 34 or more in each of its first three games but has now failed to reach the 20-point mark while losing two of its last three.

QB Jay Cutler does continue to put up solid numbers. He has at least one touchdown strike in every game and a passer rating of 94.8. Cutler was 21 of 37 for 192 yards and two scores against one pick last week. It was the first time this season that he failed to reach the 200-yard mark in a game.

Also like New England, Denver is dealing with its fair share of problems in the running game. Selvin Young sat out with a groin injury last week and rookie Ryan Torian is still recovering from a broken bone in his elbow. Eleven-year veteran Michael Pittman did fill with a solid performance for Young last week, gaining 109 yards on 20 carries for his first 100-yard game in three seasons, when he was with Tampa Bay. If you think Denver is poised to beat the NFL odds this week, bet the Broncos at +3 at Bookmaker.

Editor’s Note: Jimmy Boyd’s 5* Monday Night Football Massacre of the Month goes on this game. Make sure you check out all of Jimmy’s NFL expert picks this week.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

Written by Jimmy Boyd on October 17, 2008 · Filed Under NFL Betting Articles, News & Previews

Comments

Got something to say?