Odds to win AFC East Division: +130
Odds to win the AFC Conference: 13/2
New England Patriots Odds to win Super Bowl XLV: 12/1
Regular Season Wins Total Line: 9.5
*all odds quoted from Bodog*
Following is a breakdown of this season’s schedule for the Patriots:
Week 1 Sunday, September 12, 2010 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Analysis: The pass defense of the Patriots will face a difficult test right out of the gates as they host Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer, Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens.
Week 2 Sunday, September 19, 2010 @ New York Jets
Analysis: New England starts a string of three straight games against AFC East foes, including two on the road at New York and Miami.
Week 3 Sunday, September 26, 2010 vs. Buffalo Bills
Analysis: The Bills played the Patriots tough in two meetings last year, losing both by a combined eight points, including a one-point loss in the season opener.
Week 4 Monday, October 4, 2010 @ Miami Dolphins
Analysis: Like the Bengals and Jets, the Dolphins upgraded their passing attack with the addition of All-Pro WR Brandon Marshall and will be prepared to deal with a shootout if necessary.
Week 5 — BYE WEEK —
Week 6 Sunday, October 17, 2010 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Analysis: The Patriots will get the chance for revenge here after suffering a humiliating 33-14 loss to the Ravens in last year’s playoffs, ending their 11-game home winning streak in the postseason.
Week 7 Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ San Diego Chargers
Analysis: The Chargers face their best opponent to date after playing six straight non-playoff teams from a year ago to open the season and will be coming off back-to-back road games at Oakland and St. Louis.
Week 8 Sunday, October 31, 2010 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: The Vikings will be coming off a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Packers and play their third road game in four weeks.
Week 9 Sunday, November 7, 2010 @ Cleveland Browns
Analysis: The Patriots play the first of two straight road games against AFC North opponents while the Browns host New England and the New York Jets in consecutive weeks off their bye week.
Week 10 Sunday, November 14, 2010 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: Pittsburgh hosts New England following three straight road games but will have Ben Roethlisberger back for all of them.
Week 11 Sunday, November 21, 2010 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Analysis: The Patriots get a rematch with the Colts after last year’s memorable 35-34 loss at Indy when head coach Bill Belichick blew a 31-10 fourth-quarter lead when he decided to go for a first down on a fourth-and-2 play on his own 28-yard line in an effort to run out the clock and did not convert.
Week 12 Thursday, November 25, 2010 @ Detroit Lions
Analysis: New England visits Detroit on Thanksgiving Day four days after hosting the Colts while the Lions play the first of three straight home games.
Week 13 Monday, December 6, 2010 vs. New York Jets
Analysis: The Patriots will have 11 days to get ready for the Jets in their final meeting of the season that could determine who wins the AFC East.
Week 14 Sunday, December 12, 2010 @ Chicago Bears
Analysis: New England visits Chicago in the first of two straight games against NFC North opponents.
Week 15 Sunday, December 19, 2010 vs. Green Bay Packers
Analysis: Green Bay visits New England following a divisional road game at Detroit.
Week 16 Sunday, December 26, 2010 @ Buffalo Bills
Analysis: The Patriots close out the regular season by squaring off against two AFC opponents who should both find it hard to score in these wintry conditions.
Week 17 Sunday, January 2, 2011 vs. Miami Dolphins
Analysis: While both the Patriots and Dolphins have lethal passing games, look for the running backs and defenses to be the difference in a matchup that could decide each team’s playoff fate.
