With the NFL preseason less than a month away the NFL betting season is closer than you think. And if you’re a futures bettor, it’s actually already here.

One of the big stories in the league this season is the return of Tom Brady to the Patriots. The buzz surrounding the Pats has led to an interesting new Patriots prop in the BetUS NFL betting lines. The prop allows bettors to predict the Patriots’ 2009 regular season record. For example, if you think the return of Brady will also mean a return to perfection you can take the Pats to go 16-0 at +2500. Looking at New England’s 2009 schedule, though, a 16-0 record looks nearly impossible.

Last year, with Brady out and Matt Cassel in, the Patriots went 11-5 in the regular season. Another 11-5 finish this season is actually one of the co-favorites on the NFL sports gambling odds along with 13-3 and 12-4, all at +450. If you go in either direction away from those results the odds start climbing, with 15-1 at +800, 10-6 at +600, 9-7 at +1000, and under .500 at +1500.

Two of the Patriots’ five losses last season came in the division against the Dolphins and the Jets, while the remaining three were against three of the AFC’s best teams - Indianapolis, San Diego, and Pittsburgh. Four of those teams made the playoffs last year. Not including their two divisional matchups with Miami, this season the Pats face five teams that made the postseason last year in Atlanta, Baltimore, Tennessee, Indianapolis, and Carolina. None of those games will be easy to win. The Patriots also have a trip to Denver, where it’s always tough to win, and matchups with New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Houston. You can see why another 16-0 season likely isn’t going to happen.

Even if the Patriots somehow get through that tough block of their schedule unscathed they still have to deal with the rest of the AFC East. Defeating Miami, Buffalo, and the Jets twice this season won’t be an easy task. The Dolphins are trying to continue the growth they showed last season, while the Bills hope the addition of Terrell Owens jumpstarts their offense. Overall, though, a 13-3 or 12-4 record looks like a definite possibility in New England this season.

For all you hardcore Patriots fans and dreamers out there who think the return of Brady makes New England unbeatable again there’s a NFL betting prop for you too. You can take New England to go a perfect 19-0 and win Super Bowl XLIV at +4000. The NFL odds speak for themselves, however, on how likely it is that will happen.


This information is provided in partnership with BetUs Sportsbook

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