New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons 2010 NFL Preseason Picks Week 2: Head football coach Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots travel to Hotlanta to take on the Falcons in the NFL’s second full week of preseason on Thursday evening at 8:00 PM ET on Fox. The Pats are coming off a 10-6 season with Tom Brady back at quarterback but got ousted from the playoffs by a young and strong Baltimore Ravens team that bowled over them early in the wildcard round. Head football coach Mike Smith is coming off Atlanta’s first back to back winning season 9-7 (first in franchise history), but never have the Falcons made the playoffs two years in a row. The odds makers at SBG Global have the Atlanta Falcons -2 1/2 point favorites at home against the New England Patriots.
The Patriots are 1-0 in the preseason with a late field goal to beat the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints 27-24 with several big plays. ”It’s a new year. We’ve had 20 practices,” Coach Bill Belichick said. ”Whatever happened last year was last year.” Quarterback Tom Brady only played the first 2 series and went 5 for 8 for 67 yards and a nice completion to wide receiver Randy Moss. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 37 points combined of the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons are also 1-0 this preseason after a convincing victory 20-10 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Matt Ryan had a couple of nice tosses to tight end Tony Gonzalez but otherwise spent most of his time handing the ball to running back Michael Turner and running the no huddle. ”It felt good to finally go in a game-type atmosphere with the game speed and pass rush and everything like that,” Ryan said. The Vegas odds makers have the Atlanta Falcons listed at +160 odds to win the 2010 NFC South.
As difficult as it is to predict how the second and third teams, as well as the rookies will play at the end of the NFL preseason games, better teams still usually win as they have the depth and determination that weaker teams do not possess. I predict an outright win for the Patriots and under 37 on the road in Atlanta.
NFL PREASON WEEK 2 ODDS(SPREAD AND TOTAL)
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:05 PM This game will be televised on FOX. This game is circled.
403 Patriots +2½ (-110) OV 37 (-110) +120
404 Falcons -2½ (-110) UN 37 (-110) -140