Patriots vs Bucs Super Bowl - What if it actually happens?
doubledragon
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What if this actually becomes a reality?
Patriots-Buccaneers one of most likely Super Bowl matchups
When the Patriots lost 19-17 to the Buccaneers in Week 4 to fall to 1-3, a rematch in the Super Bowl seemed inconceivable.
Eight weeks later, a Bill Belichick-Tom Brady showdown in Super Bowl LVI appears very possible.
In fact, according to Football Outsiders, a data analytics website, New England vs. Tampa Bay was the most likely Super Bowl matchup heading into Week 12, with a 9.9 percent chance of happening.
Based on a parlay of each team’s conference futures at BetMGM — where the Bucs are +210 favorites to win the NFC and the Pats are the +450 third pick to win the AFC — the odds are 16-1 that the rematch takes place.
“That would be a monster matchup for the league, for TV and for our industry,” Red Rock Resort sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said.
MGM Resorts director of trading Jeff Stoneback agrees.
“You couldn’t write a story like that,” he said. “That would be like one of those Hollywood movies, and it has a good possibility of happening.”
Golden Nugget sportsbook director Tony Miller said he’d make Tampa Bay a 1-point favorite over New England on a neutral field.
“I would love to see that matchup, just because of all the props that would be available,” Miller said. “But the Bucs have a much tougher path than the Patriots.”
Books win again
New England (8-4) and Tampa Bay (8-3) delivered two of the biggest wins for bettors on an NFL Sunday in which Las Vegas sportsbooks reported being small winners.
The biggest favorites on the board at -7, the Patriots won and covered their sixth straight game in a 36-13 rout of the Titans.
“The Patriots were the biggest loser for us,” Stoneback said. “They’re becoming a public team again.”
Bad beat
The Bucs covered as 3-point road favorites over the Colts in a 38-31 comeback victory that ended with a bad beat for Indianapolis bettors.
Tampa Bay rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit to take a 31-24 lead in the fourth quarter. After the Colts tied it with 3:29 left, Brady drove the Bucs into range for a winning field goal, which would’ve resulted in a push and a refund for most bettors on the game.
But with 20 seconds left, running back Leonard Fournette broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run to lift Tampa Bay to a 38-31 win and cover.
The Colts, who had five turnovers, still had a chance to force overtime when Isaiah Rodgers returned the final kickoff 71 yards to the Bucs’ 32-yard line with 10 seconds left. But Carson Wentz’s first pass fell incomplete, and the second was intercepted near the goal line.
Underdog winners
Underdogs went 5-6 ATS with five outright wins by the Giants (+4, beat Eagles 13-7); Jets (+3, beat Texans 21-14); Broncos (+2½, beat Chargers 28-13); Packers (+2, beat Rams 36-28); and Dolphins (+1½, beat Panthers 33-10).
Denver, Miami and the Giants were the biggest winners for the books, while bettors won on Green Bay’s upset of Los Angeles.
A Caesars Sportsbook bettor won a $445,000 wager on the Packers on the money line (+115).
Aaron Rodgers accounted for three TDs for Green Bay on a fractured toe while Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw a pick-six for the third consecutive game in L.A.’s third straight loss.
“The NFL has been so difficult to predict this year, especially over the last three or four weeks,” Westgate SuperBook vice president Jay Kornegay said. “Every time we think someone is going to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, they unexpectedly lose. I would expect that to continue through the rest of the season and most likely in the playoffs.
“I believe that Green Bay is the best team in the league, though Arizona fans might have something to say about that. There are probably 12 teams that can win the Super Bowl. I’m still not sold on the Patriots. Let’s see what they do against Buffalo.”
New England is a 3-point underdog at Buffalo next week on “Monday Night Football.”
Comments
New England plays Buffalo next Monday, I can't wait for that one, I'm already licking my chops, a tasty matchup indeed!
15,000th post!
It is too soon for me to give any serious belief to the idea of the Patriots playing in the SB. I really want to just enjoy this season game to game. We will know more after the two Bills match-ups.
But if it happened? It would break the internet.
And if the Patriots made it they would be one step closer on their Stairway to Seven
I don't know, 6 straight wins, the Patriots are hot, Mac Jones is the real deal, defense is good, Bill Belichick as your coach, I like their chances!
The NFL wants it so it could happen
Pogo cat like their chances.
I googled pogo cat. It should have been self-explanatory. But I wasn't paying attention. It's a cat on a pogo stick. Known for making accurate sports predictions.
oh man, week 4 was tough enough for me.
is it possible to both laugh and cry at the same time.
i cant root against the Patriots. I also cant root against Tommy.
regular season is a whole different ballgame as compared to the SB.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
If the Pats go against Brady I will 100% be rooting for the Pats, but won’t be all that upset if Brady got #7.
I was so upset after 2007, in 2011 I was absolutely Furious. When they lost to the Eagles it was a combination of the two, I was more pissed at Belichick than anything
I can't wait for the Patriots vs Bills game, which Bills team will show up, the good or the bad? I like the Patriots to win that game.
Pogo cat appreciates your interest in him, he doesn't have many friends, it's so lonely on this pogo stick. Thank you........friend.
If it were to be a Tampa vs. NE Super Bowl, I like NE’s chances. Brady is looking frayed around the edges, and young Mr. Jones is looking like young Brady. It would quite interesting.
I like how NE's offense can take control of a quarter. go on a 8-9 minute drive and eat up clock. they do need to improve on converting TD in the red zone and not rely so much on FG.
didnt Folk have 5 FG yesterday?
If TB's offense happened to be clicking in a super bowl matchup, NE could not trade FG for TD.
I think part of Tampas problems of late on offense have been no Brown and Gronk. yesterday, Gronk really got on track again with 120 yards. AB makes them a different offense.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
NE still has some pretty tough games on their schedule: Buffalo twice, Indy who's been playing tough over their past 8-9 games and even Miami has turned their season around winning four straight. I love how they've been playing but I'm not totally convinced that their SB contender material yet but I think these next three games could change that if they go 3-0/2-1.
The Bucs on the other hand will likely be there at the end or at least make it into the NFCCG. Their 2021 team is much better than where their 2020 team was on this date a year ago, 7-5 coming off a loss. they then won 8 straight.
I'd love to see this matchup as much as anyone but there is still a TON of football left and who knows what will happen.
Eric
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I will be happy no matter who won that matchup but would prefer the Buks win for Brady. Patriots have a great young quarterback and he has a great future to win his share of games.
If it does happen, it just might mean that BB is the ultimate puppet master. We shall see.
I couldn't think of a more interesting matchup. Green Bay vs Dallas? No thanks...........
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Green Bay and Dallas will not play each other in the Super Bowl this year. I guarantee it.
You got that right Perky.
If the Patriots vs Bucs Super Bowl matchup does happen, it will be bedlam, absolute bedlam, they'll be fighting in the streets!
Those are three brothers in NE and they're fighting over who deserves the most credit. One says Brady,one Belichick and the third in white Tshirt trying to break it up says Kraft.
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Doh! Change the "vs" to "or"
Green Bay vs Dallas?
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"