The Pick: My 150 Dime winner is the New England Patriots
The Line: The current line is -3 at the majority of books in Vegas and offshore as of 8:00 am EST. Be sure to shop around for the best line available.
Note: If your line is anywhere from -3 to -4 1/2 I advise buying the 1/2 point down on the Pats.
My Analysis
It holds true today as well...they are just the better "TEAM."
When the Patriots lost week 3 at home to the Steelers 21-14, they found themselves 1-2 with the Carolina Panthers coming to town.
You had whispers about Mike Vrabel, was he the right hire, same ole Patriots just like last year!!!!
Then they blew out the Panthers 42-13 and they have never looked back.
This New England bunch is 14-1 since that loss to the Steelers week 3 and the only loss in this run: Week 15 at home against Josh Allen and the Bills 35-31.
Trust me when I tell you, they never should have lost that game as they led 21-0 in the 2nd quarter and let it slip away.
Josh Allen was great in that 2nd half but I think we can all agree, CJ Stroud can't hold Allen's nuts in an orgy.
Last week at Pittsburgh Stroud struggled as he fumbled 5 times losing 2 of them and threw a pick.
He looked shaky and now faces a better defense in the Patriots and he faces them without his #1 wide receiver Nico Collins, out with a concussion.
Advantage New England.
As for the Pats offense versus this "great" Texans defense, I will just tell you this.
I don't agree with everyone who views this Houston defense as being "elite."
Their defensive line is but if those boys don't get pressure, their secondary can be exposed,
See week 17 at home against the Cots and rookie QB Riley Leonard.
Now Houston was trying to win the game. To improve their seeding. Their starters across the board played!!!!!!
And look at Leonard's numbers: 21 of 34 for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Colts put up 30 on this defense.
If Leonard was able to do that, on the road, against this defense, I am confident in Drake Maye's ability to attack this defense as well.
Bottom line: Not taking anything away from Denver but this Patriots team has been the most dominant team in the AFC all year long.
And they will not lose this game today to this QB and this team, at home, the way they are playing right now.
Lay it as the Pats as they handle their business this afternoon.
is Seattle
