20-Nov-2009 19:46pm
 
RealTime Fantasy Sports
Log In
Patriots are 3-touchdown favorites over Eagles

By ROB MAADDI - AP Sports Writer
    2007-11-23 16:03

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Need extra cash for holiday shopping? Take the Patriots and give the points - no matter how large the number.

Bettors putting their money on New England have cashed in so often this season, oddsmakers are forced to inflate the line. This week, they've made the undefeated Patriots more than three touchdown-favorites over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Glantz-Culver line was 22 on Friday. Several Las Vegas sportsbooks and a few offshore Internet gambling sites listed it at 24. It reached 24 1/2 at the Las Vegas Hilton. If the number stays that high or goes up, it would be the largest known spread for an NFL game.

San Francisco was a 24-point favorite against Cincinnati on Dec. 5, 1993, according to Keith Glantz, co-author of the Glantz-Culver Line. The 49ers won 21-8.

The Patriots are 9-1 against the spread and winning by an average margin of 25.4 points, including nine victories by more than 17 points. They've scored more than 34 points nine times, and their only close game of the season was a 24-20 win in Indianapolis.

Richard Gardner, manager at Costa Rica-based Bodoglife.com, explained why New England's line gets higher every week.

``It's not so much that the bookmakers don't think the Pats can cover lines over 20 as they've proven all season that they can. The bookmakers are trying to set the line so high that it will scare off a lot of bettors,'' Gardner said. ``Unfortunately, the bettors keep betting on the Patriots regardless of the line and the Patriots are doing their part.''

Even local bookies, including a few in Eagles-crazed South Philly, are keeping this one around 23 or 24. Normally, they shift it 1 1/2-2 points because the hometown action naturally is on the Eagles.

Not this week.

``They love their Eagles, but they ain't stupid,'' said a bookie known as Paulie Walnuts because he bears a striking resemblance to the character on ``The Sopranos'' with that nickname.

Anthony Traverisi, a die-hard Eagles fan with the team's helmet tattooed on his calf, plans to put a large sum on New England. He claimed betting the Patriots paid his mortgage twice since September.

``I'd feel like a traitor if the number was smaller and I bet against the Eagles,'' he said. ``They ain't winning anything this year, so I'm going where the money's at.''

The line opened at 17 1/2 in many places, but went up when Donovan McNabb couldn't practice because of ankle and thumb injuries. McNabb is listed as doubtful, so A.J. Feeley could start at quarterback for Philadelphia (5-5).

``I don't know how all of that works, and I don't care,'' Eagles coach Andy Reid said of the point spread. ``I don't get into all of that. I prepare every week the same. I don't understand it all. We just take care of business here and make sure we prepare ourselves the right way. We don't get into point spreads and all that stuff.''

Players insisted all week that being heavy underdogs doesn't motivate them any more than trying to keep their playoff hopes alive and become the first team to defeat the Patriots.

``If you need fuel right now, being 5-5, going against a team who is 10-0, if you need any more fuel than that, then something is wrong,'' safety Brian Dawkins said. ``If you need some kind of booster cables to jump you, added to that, then something's wrong; you're in the wrong business, you're in the wrong game. I need nothing else right now to get me hyped and excited about this game.''

Halfback Brian Westbrook agreed.

``I'm motivated by the opportunity to go out there and play another football game,'' he said.

Making money motivates the gambling public.


Recommend this story: Email to a friend Submit to Digg.com Submit to Del.icio.us Save to Technorati.com

Fantasy Football News RSS FeedFOOTBALL HEADLINES

Fantasy Football News RSS FeedPAUR REPORT

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Jarret JohnsonNov 20 04:43p

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Tavares Gooden (head) and LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as [ More ]

Brian FinneranNov 20 04:33p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Brian Finneran (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11.

Aaron KampmanNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Aaron Kampman (concussion) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 [ More ]

Brady PoppingaNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Brady Poppinga (quadriceps) and LB Desmond Bishop (ankle) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed [ More ]

Reggie BushNov 20 04:13p

ESPN.com reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) did not practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11.

Johnny JollyNov 20 04:13p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers FS John Kuhn (hand), C Scott Wells (concussion), DE Johnny Jolly (back) and LB Brad Jones (concussion) participated [ More ]

Mike VrabelNov 20 04:03p

Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for [ More ]

Cedric BensonNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson (hip) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week 11.

Laveranues ColesNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Laveranues Coles (head) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 and will be able to play.

Keith RiversNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals LB Keith Rivers (calf) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week 11.

Chike OkeaforNov 20 03:43p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals LB Chike Okeafor (back) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11. LB Bertrand [ More ]

Karlos DansbyNov 20 03:43p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder), CB Bryant McFadden (ankle) and CB Michael Adams (hamstring) were limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are [ More ]

Ben PatrickNov 20 03:33p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals TE Ben Patrick (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and could be [ More ]

Reggie WellsNov 20 03:33p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals OG Reggie Wells (thumb) and DE Kenny Iwebema (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for [ More ]

Jim LeonhardNov 20 03:23p

The Associated Press reports New York Jets FS Jim Leonhard (thumb) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11 with a broken right thumb. [ More ]

Travis KirschkeNov 20 03:13p

Pittsburgh Steelers DE Travis Kirschke (calf) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11.

Michael TurnerNov 20 03:13p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week [ More ]

Roddy WhiteNov 20 03:13p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

Jerious NorwoodNov 20 03:13p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons RB Jerious Norwood (hip) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and will be available.

Ashton YoubotyNov 20 03:03p

Buffalo Bills OT Demetrius Bell (knee), LB Keith Ellison (thigh) and CB Ashton Youboty (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They have been ruled out for Week 11.

Terrence McGeeNov 20 03:03p

Buffalo Bills CB Terrence McGee (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and is not expected to play.

A. HaynesworthNov 20 02:53p

Ryan O'Halloran, of The Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

Marcus StroudNov 20 02:53p

Buffalo Bills DT Marcus Stroud (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for the team's Week 11 game.

Danny WareNov 20 02:43p

Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said the team believes RB Danny Ware is capable of handling the duties of [ More ]

Troy PolamaluNov 20 02:43p

ESPN reports Pittsburgh Steelers SS Troy Polamalu (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11.

Brian WestbrookNov 20 02:33p

ESPNews reports Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) will be out in Week 11 and likely the two following weeks as well.

Garrett WolfeNov 20 02:23p

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears have placed RB Garrett Wolfe (kidney) on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009 season.

Antonio BryantNov 20 01:13p

Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant (knee) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11.

Byron LeftwichNov 20 01:13p

Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) and QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for Week 11.

Clinton PortisNov 20 01:03p

Rick Maese, of The Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (concussion) is scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh to meet with a specialist regarding his concussion.

C. BuckhalterNov 20 12:43p

Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19.

Kyle OrtonNov 20 12:43p

Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19. The Broncos have not ruled him out for Week 11 and said he is feeling better.

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts: