With a victory next Sunday at home against Broncos, the Patriots (6-2) will secure the conference’s best record through nine weeks, not to mention a potentially valuable tiebreaker.
However, multiple Nevada sports books have made the Patriots 3.5-point underdogs to 6-1 Denver on Sunday, according to VegasInsider.com. (The William Hill-run sports books, though, have installed Denver as just a three-point favorite.)
According to the Spreadapedia line database, the Patriots have not been a home underdog of more than a field goal since November 18, 2001, when the Rams (-8.5) defeated New England 24-17.
The Patriots, of course, would have their revenge on St. Louis less than four months later in Super Bowl XXXVI.