AAA's 10* AFC CHAMPIONSHIP BLOCKBUSTER - 7-1 (88%) NFL Playoffs!
(NFL) New England vs. Denver,
Point Spread: -3.00 | -105.00 New England (Away)
Result: Loss
This is a 10* BLOCKBUSTER on the New England Patriots.

While we are primarily a situationally based handicapping service, we don't prescribe to any one single methodology, but instead feel that being flexible with ones approach is the best way to secure profits over the longterm. Sometimes we keep it simple, while other times we'll take into account a bunch of different factors, like motivation, scheduling and significant injuries. Recognizing classic "spot bets" is something we always do as well, IE: the "look ahead" spot, the "let down" spot and the "trap" game. The actual contestants on the field of play rarely enter into our equation when making selections, unless it's a Top 3 player like a LeBron James or Aaron Rodgers etc. One set of criteria which we almost always use when making our decisions, are Against The Spread (ATS) statistics. Sometimes these stats can be overrated and other times they help foreshadow the outcome of a contest.

This particular play is based on a few different factors:

Quarterbacks: We love both of these veteran and proven pivots, but one is playing at the very top of his game, while the other can barely stand on his own two feet. Tom Brady threw 36 TD's to just seven INT's this season behind an offensive unit which was patched together for most of the year. That Patriots unit though is now almost back to 100% health. Peyton Manning had a tough season and missed a large chunk of it due to an injury; Manning looked particularly feeble vs. a wounded Steelers team in the divisional round, throwing for just 222 yards.

Offense vs. defense: Manning's shortcomings in the pocket were largely masked by the league's top defensive units and while the team obviously benefits from playing in front of the home town crowd, this strength is neutralized by the visitors truly dynamic offense, led by Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski and WT Julian Edelman.

Revenge: The Pats lost to the Broncos in Week 12, despite Brady tossing three TD's and with Edelman watching from the sideline with injury.

The bottom line: Brady and the Patriots are just too experienced to be overwhelmed by this situation. In the loss earlier in the season, the Broncos were able to run the ball, but we look for the visiting side to come out much more prepared today and when the smoke does finally clear at the end of this one, we do indeed look for NEW ENGLAND to comfortably pull away down the stretch for the ATS cover.

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