Pats continue to shred spread

Behind the aggressive leadership of coach Bill Belichick and the flawless play of quarterback Tom Brady, the New England Patriots continue to intimidate the rest of the NFL and intrigue bettors and oddsmakers.

The Patriots looked mortal for two weeks, but that was only a tease. They returned to their invincible form Sunday, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-13 as 11-point home favorites.

New England, which improved to 13-0 straight up and 10-3 against the spread, dealt oddsmakers another losing hand.

“The smart money and the public money really came in heavy on the Patriots,” Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said. “Every Patriots game has been a huge swing for the books, and most of the time the books have been on the wrong end.”

Brady was again the story, passing for four touchdowns and lighting up the Steelers’ top-ranked defense.

The theme this week will be a bloodthirsty Belichick, who has a score to settle with the New York Jets and their coach, Eric Mangini.

After the Patriots pounded the Jets 38-14 in Week 1, Belichick was busted and fined by the league for sign-stealing spy tactics, and the whistle blower was Mangini, a former Belichick assistant.

Now it’s time for Belichick to exact his revenge, and the scenario presents a challenge to oddsmakers.

The Hilton opened New England as a 25-point home favorite over the Jets in Week 15. Las Vegas Sports Consultants sent out a suggested opening line of 26.

“It’s kind of the no-mercy game,” Kornegay said. “I can’t see anybody really looking to take the Jets.”

Kornegay said there were “no takers” immediately after the 25-point line was posted Sunday night.

If the public piles on the Patriots this week, history could be made. According to The Gold Sheet, the all-time high NFL spread of 28 points was posted in 1966, when the Baltimore Colts were favored over the expansion Atlanta Falcons.

And if the record is not set this week, it could happen in Week 16, when the Patriots host the winless Miami Dolphins. The first 30-point line could be coming soon.

“It’s a very difficult number to make every week,” Kornegay said. “The Patriots are just driving all the bookmakers nuts.”

New England closed as a 24-point home favorite over Philadelphia two weeks ago, but struggled to win, 31-28.

Even after the Patriots survived another scare against the Baltimore Ravens last Monday night, bettors jumped back on New England to cover double digits against Pittsburgh.

“Almost everybody in the room has a ticket on the Patriots, either for them or against them,” Kornegay said. “The volume of bets we’re receiving on all Patriots games is obviously making it a huge decision every week.”

The books lost most of the major decisions in Week 14. Including Washington’s victory over Chicago on Thursday, favorites went 13-2 straight up and 11-4 against the spread.

The Indianapolis Colts, who closed as 9-point road favorites, routed the Ravens 44-20 in the Sunday night game.

Only Philadelphia and Tampa Bay failed to win as favorites, while Cincinnati and Dallas won but did not cover.

San Diego closed as a 11/2-point road favorite over Tennessee. The Chargers erased a 17-3 fourth-quarter deficit and won 23-17 in overtime.

“Everything was going fine until the Chargers came back and the Titans blew it. That was a big swing for us,” Kornegay said. “With almost every favorite covering, it’s going to be a pretty bad day.”

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2907.