Football Line – 2009 Division Winners Square Off

The 2010-2011 NFL campaign kicks off for two teams that won their divisions last season but were first round playoff casualties. The Football Line currently has the New England Patriots -4 at home against a Cincinnati team that addressed some weaknesses in the off season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-0) vs. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-0)
Sunday, September 12, 1:00 PM ET
Gillette Stadium
Foxboro, Massachusetts
Broadcast: CBS

Football Line:

Cincinnati: +4 (-110)
New England: -4 (110)

Moneyline: Cincinnati +170: New England -210

Total: 45 points: Over (110), Under (110)

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The Cincinnati Bengals exceeded expectations last season and will have to do so once again if they want to make an AFC playoff run. The Bengals are chalk full of trouble makers this year and with the addition of Pacman Jones and Terrell Owens to a team featuring Cedric Benson, this team could be boom or bust. I’d like to see a Football Line of when and if Marv Lewis will pull out the rest of his hair!

Cincinnati certainly did a lot to rectify their one dimensional offense status. Terrell Owens and new Tight End Jermaine Gersham finally give the Bengals a multitude of targets in the passing game. Carson Palmer, only a few years removed from Pro Bowl caliber seasons will certainly benefit.

Cedric Benson is back and will likely figure to play a large part in the offensive scheme of the Bengals, particularly against the Patriots who have proven vulnerable against the run.

Cincinnati’s defense is legit! They will prove to be tough for any team this season. With Linebackers Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers and Rey Mauluga and corners Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph, the Pats will have their hands full.

The New England Patriots will be looking to put their disappointing last season behind them this year and most Football Lines feel that this will indeed be yet another competitive year for them.  Bill Belichek and company are out to prove the haters wrong and to rise to the top once again.

They still have a shaky offensive line and still lack explosive playmakers at running back, but the Patriots will once again be guided by Tom Brady! Randy Moss will be playing for a new contract and Wes Welker will be in the starting lineup on Sunday.

The New England defense, particularly the run defense was a sore spot last season but the offseason saw some changes that should significantly improve their squad. Derrick Burgess and Brandon Spikes bolster a defense that will have to be good, not great this season.

Football Line Outlook:

The New England Patriots went 8-0 at home last season, are 13-4 Straight Up and only 8-9 ATS in their last 17 games. The Bengals were 7-2 ATS as underdogs last season demonstrating their ability to raise their game against top opposition. I think that the Over is likely the best play here with New England winning a tight game in the end.

Football Line Pick: New England Patriots SU and the Over