If you took the Jaguars +35 points you are one happy camper as the Patriots couldn’t quite clear that spread in their 51-17 win over Jacksonville.
For perspective, the line on this game was 14.5 points. Over at SportsBet.com the thinking was, well – read it for yourself.
If New England is on its game, the Patriots could very easily cover a close to 2 touchdown spread against the Jaguars. But, it’s asking a lot for Brady and the Patriots to keep up their emotional energy after such a huge victory over their arch nemesis Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. New England will win but don’t expect a blow-out victory. I am picking the Jacksonville Jaguars to cover the 2+ TD spread against the Pats. My final score prediction is New England 30, Jacksonville 24.
What is it when you come within one point of covering a five touchdown spread? Blowout is the word you seek, and keep in mind that those last 7 points for Jacksonville came on a late 4th quarter drive and was the only inspired series for the Jags all game, in my humble opinion.
Pats Emotional energy? Check!
Not much else to talk about. The Patriots got points every time the offense touched the football. Brady threw for his 400th and 401st touchdown passes, only the 4th NFL quarterback ever to reach that number. LeGarrette Blount ran for three touchdowns and Dion Lewis ran for another. Add three Gostkowski field goals and the Patriots improve to 3-0 atop the AFC east.
Things to work on? The Patriot defense is vulnerable to a high production offense and this becomes a problem if the opponents defense finds a way to get to Brady. But that’s always been how you beat the Patriots. Keep them from scoring 40 points so you don’t have to find a way to score 41.
Pittsburgh held the Pats to 28 points in week one but only cashed in 21 of their own. The Bills scored 32 but gave up 40. Jacksonville could have phoned it in.
Two weeks from now the Patriots face the Romo-less Cowboys in Dallas, then travel to Indianapolis a week later, then home to face the Jets. Can one of those teams stop the Revenge tour? They are NFL teams so of course they can. But will they?
