Tom Brady And Pats Enter AFC Title Game As Big Sportsbook Underdog
By: Seth Hatcher NFL Thu, 17 Jan 2019
Related Tags: Tom Brady
It's been years since it has been possible for a bettor to double their money by betting on the Patriots winning a game. A little over 4 years to be exact, November 30, 2014 was the last time that the Patriots were the underdogs heading into a game. Brady and the Pats were playing the Packers at Lambeau Field that day as the underdogs, and they lost. On Sunday, the Patriots will take the field in Kansas City as underdogs again as they take on the Chiefs in the AFC title game.
The Patriots are +130 underdogs, meaning that a $100 would bring back $230 overall, or $130 if you're not counting your bet amount. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are three point favorites after the performance they put on against the Colts, beating Indy 31-13.
The AFC title game is a rematch of the high scoring affair that took place in Foxborough during week 6 of this season. Brady threw for 340 and a touchdown in a Patriots win, a matchup that had New England as a 3.5 point favorite. The game itself was a thrilling back and forth contest, with both teams putting up huge offensive numbers. Mahomes threw for 4 TDs and 352 yards, but also threw two costly picks. New England was able to get the run game going the first time these two teams met, allowing the Pats to dictate the clock. New England possessed the ball 36:09 minutes compared to Kansas City's 23:51, and the Pats were able to kick a winning field goal with the last possession, winning 43-40.
Brady's favorite target that game was Josh Gordon, who was thrown to nine times and caught five passes. Gordon has since departed from the team, giving Brady one less weapon to aim at come Sunday.
The matchup early in the season was also the first real road test for second year quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Despite the MVP numbers and performances that Mahomes has put on all year, he is still only in his second season in the league. The week 6 matchup was his first loss as a starter, and only the seventh game he had started.
Look for KC to avenge the early season loss to New England. This looks to be a game of offense, with Mahomes and the Chiefs offense having a couple extra levels that Brady may not be able to match this year. The AFC Championship promises to be a good one.
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