As the NFL regular season approaches its conclusion, the top teams are starting to emerge. The New England Patriots, boasting an 11-3 record and sitting as the second playoff seed in the AFC, were initially viewed as one of the elite squads this season. However, their recent 35-31 defeat to the Buffalo Bills has raised questions about their standing, particularly among the bookmakers.
Heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots find themselves as underdogs for the second consecutive week, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Here are the odds for the contest:
- Spread: Ravens -2.5
- Moneyline: Patriots +130 | Ravens -154
- Over/under: 47.5
Despite having a superior record, the Patriots travel to Baltimore with skepticism surrounding their ability to secure a twelfth win this season. The Ravens, currently with a 7-7 record, are battling for their playoff lives. The doubts about New England likely stem from their loss to Buffalo, where they squandered a 21-0 lead and were up 24-7 at halftime before collapsing in the later quarters. Falling to the five-time defending division champions in such a manner is certainly disappointing, yet not entirely unexpected, as the Bills remain a strong team, even while trailing the Patriots in the AFC East.
This recent defeat, coupled with the fact that the Patriots reached their 11-3 record against one of the easiest schedules in the league, has led to increased scrutiny of their legitimacy as a contender. As a result, they now find themselves under what some are calling “fraud watch.”
On Sunday, the Patriots will have a prime opportunity to silence their critics. The game against Baltimore has been flexed to the 8:20 PM ET slot on December 21, placing them in the spotlight to demonstrate their true capabilities.
