Patriots Are Favored by 14 Points in NFL Conference Title Game

[clevfan]

Patriots Are Favored by 14 Points in NFL Conference Title Game

By Erik Matuszewski

Jan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- The undefeated New England Patriots, a win away from their fourth Super Bowl trip in seven years, are favored by two touchdowns over the San Diego Chargers in the American Football Conference championship game.

The Green Bay Packers are seven-point favorites over the New York Giants in the National Football Conference title game, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which advises Nevada books on betting lines.

The winners of the National Football League's Jan. 20 conference championships -- both rematches of lopsided games in Week 2 of the regular season -- advance to the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in Glendale, Arizona.

The Patriots are listed as early 14-point favorites for the AFC title game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England has a 17-0 record and beat San Diego 38-14 at home during the second week of the regular season. That game was played almost four months ago and the Chargers have won 12 of 14 since opening the season 1-3.

``That was such a long time ago and I think the most important thing for us to focus on is what the Chargers have done in the last couple months,'' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said yesterday in a media conference call. ``We'll probably reflect back on the earlier game just to put it all in perspective, but we'll put a lot more attention on what they've done recently.''

San Diego is riding an eight-game winning streak after a 28-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts yesterday that knocked the defending Super Bowl champions out of the playoffs. The Chargers were without starting running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers at the end of the game because of injuries.

Chargers' Injuries

Tomlinson, the NFL's leading rusher, was replaced by Michael Turner after hurting his left leg during the second quarter. Rivers was replaced by Billy Volek in the third quarter after a left-knee injury. Tomlinson and Rivers are listed as ``questionable'' for the AFC championship.

In this season's first meeting between New England and San Diego, the Patriots jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead behind two of quarterback Tom Brady's three touchdown passes. Brady finished the regular season with an NFL-record 50 scoring passes and had three more in New England's 31-20 playoff win over Jacksonville two days ago.

A year ago, Brady overcame a career playoff-high three interceptions in leading New England to a 24-21 second-round win in San Diego. The Patriots scored 11 points in the final 3:26 to knock the Chargers out of the playoffs after they'd gone 14-2 during the regular season.

`One-Game Season'

``It's a one-game season,'' Belichick said. ``One team moves on, one team goes home, so I don't think anything that's happened in the past has all that much bearing on it. It's going to be whatever team is able to perform the best next Sunday.''

Like the Patriots and Chargers, the Packers and Giants met on Sept. 16, with Green Bay winning on the road 35-13 behind three touchdown passes by Brett Favre.

The Packers this week will be at home, where they beat Seattle 42-20 two days ago at snowy Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Giants have won their past nine road games, including a 21-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys yesterday.

``We don't know what the weather is going to be like, but we know it's going to be cold and it might be snowy,'' Giants quarterback Eli Manning said at a news conference yesterday. ``Our team is finding ways to win and that's the most important thing. We're enjoying the ride and we're going to keep it going as long as we can.''

[(sportman)]

Why is this line not 17?

It's going to be at least 16 with me

[KoolPappyPD]

Originally Posted by (sportman)

Why is this line not 17?

It's going to be at least 16 with me

Does that mean you think the Pats -14 is a good play? seems like a lot of points, unless the Chargers are minus LT and that smart-mouth QB Rivers...

I am leaning towards the Giants +7 after they were so kind to me against the Boys...

[skilled27]

If they dont have rivers (LT really doesnt matter as much because if rivers aint there the Pats can load up on the run), I'm all over NE. HUGE.

[stevo]

Be nice to have info on this one Skilled.

[skilled27]

Sure would. My guess is that both LT and Rivers will at least try to play. But I dont have info, all I know is they are questionable.

If he does play, Rivers wont last long as NE will be taking shots on him left and right. A couple roughing the passer's and get him out of the game.

[Dell Dude]

I'm shocked that the books put the line up on the Pats/Bolts right after the Bolts game. wtf? They would take a preseason game off the board if it was unclear whether Rivers and LT were playing. What up with that? If it wasn't for the Pats being undefeated, I'd be rooting for the Bolts because I think it is their time to win a championship. But I want to see history made so I will be rooting for the Pats. I'd also like to see Green Bay win because that would be an off the hook SB. But I think Giants cover again, and possibly win outright.

If Rivers and LT play, Bolts cover and possibly win outright...

[mikeymike]

I got the Chargers +14.5 as soon as the line came out. It's now +14 so people like the Chargers.

[(sportman)]

NE beat them up 38-14 early in the year

I believe they do it again

[Dell Dude]

Don Shula, Larry Cszonka and the rest of the '72 Dolphins are awfully quiet. Even that little fucking weasel, Garo Yepremian, is silent. I wonder if they still have their Champagne, Illinois on ice.

[Dell Dude]

1972 Miami Dolphins season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There is an urban legend that every season, whenever the last remaining undefeated NFL team loses its first game, all the surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins open bottles of champagne in celebration. Coach Don Shula tried to play down the myth by saying that two players, Dick Anderson and Nick Buoniconti, who live near each other sometimes have a toast together. However, in a college football broadcast on ABC, following the loss of an undefeated team, Bob Griese commented that he called up former Dolphins, and they had Diet Cokes together, after being asked by his colleague. That celebration comes with the connotation that they no longer drink alcoholic beverages, but that a toast was customary.

Go drink some cod liver oil, Greasy.

[skilled27]

Guys if rivers doesnt play it is going to be at least a 4 TD game.

[Uncle B]

Tomlinson is suppsedly ready to go...I'd expect to see Rivers start too, but, no telling how good he'll be or how long he'll last.


I still think SD can put up a decent fight though.