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The New England Patriots odds to win Super Bowl 56 had moved to 7/1 ahead of Week 15 and the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs had odds of 5/1, making for a strong likelihood that these two teams could face one another. If so, the line would be Bucs -1.5 as of December 18, 2021.
The Patriots played Indianapolis as a +2.5 road underdog, mainly a result of having a significant number of players sitting out this game. New England was riding a 7-game win streak and had just four losses on the season before falling to the Colts Saturday night.
Patriots inactives included the following: CB Joejuan Williams, QB Jarrett Stidham, TE Devin Asiasi, S Joshuah Bledsoe, RB Damien Harris, OT Yodny Cajuste. This means safety Adrian Phillips (right knee) is active. Also, Shaun Wade gets the nod over Williams at backup CB spot.
That loss to the Colts will be a setback for sure but a win against the Bills in Week 16 will ensure the Patriots are heading to the Playoffs.
Indianapolis had lost eight straight against the Patriots since a win in 2009. Six of those eight were played at New England and two were playoff games.
Pats starting quarterback Mac Jones has led New England to a 6-0 road mark this season and needs one more road win to break a tie with Dak Prescott (2016) and Ben Roethlisberger (2004) for the NFL’s rookie record. ... Jones also needs one more game with a completion percentage of 70% to tie Prescott’s rookie record (eight).
The Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints are set to face off in a division matchup that, should Tampa win, they would clinch the NFC South. Despite winning the Super Bowl last season, Tampa did not win the NFC South and hasn't done so since 2007.
The Buccaneers snapped the second-longest active postseason drought in NFL history last season when Tom Brady led the team to the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
