Last Updated on July 31, 2010 9:33 am by Anthony Rome
Patriots Season Odds
After losing in the first round of the postseason last year, the New England Patriots hope to regroup with a new attitude and get back on top in 2010.
As usual, the Patriots decided not to pursue big-name free agents this offseason. Instead, they concentrated on re-signing perhaps their most important asset on defense: Vince Wilfork. With Wilfork back to anchor the interior of their line, the Pats’ defense should once again be in the top 12 overall – assuming they stay healthy, which has been a concern over the years.
Heading into the draft, New England wanted to bolster its linebacker, defensive line, tight end and offensive line units. Armed with five picks in the first three rounds, the team was able to address some of those needs.
In Round 1, the Pats selected Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty and with three picks in Round 2, the team went with Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski, Florida defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, and Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes. In Round 3, the Pats added to their wide receiver corps with the selection of Ohio receiver Taylor Price.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com currently list the Patriots at 12/1 to win the 2011 Super Bowl and 13/2 to win the AFC. They’re +130 on the money line to win the AFC East Division and have a season win total of 9.5 games for 2010.
With Bill Belichick on the sidelines and quarterback Tom Brady under center, the Patriots will once again have a chance to win every Sunday. Their offense is too efficient to be stopped, although at times in the second halves of games last season it became too inconsistent. Teams also had a large amount of success moving the ball on Belichick’s defense last year, especially when linebacker Jerod Mayo went down with an injury. The key for New England defensively is simple: Stay healthy.
While there’s no doubt the Patriots will once again be in the mix this year for a postseason berth, they’re going to have stiff competition within their own division. The Jets and Dolphins have re-tooled over the offseason and the AFC East might turn out to be the most competitive division in football this year. The Patriots certainly have their work cut out for them.
Again though, you know Belichick and Brady aren’t going down without a fight and at 12/1, it might be wise to hop on the Patriots now. (You just never know if they’re going to start out of the gates hot and those odds go down.)
2011 Super Bowl Odds: New England Patriots 12/1
Odds to win the AFC: New England Patriots 13/2
Odds to win the AFC East: New England Patriots +130
2010 NFL Season Win Total: New England Patriots O/U 9.5
Posted: 7/31/10 9:30AM ET