Could Jets Have Shot at History Come December? Largest NFL Point Spread Ever
By Cecilio's Scribe on Nov 02, 2007 with Comments 7
“Sweep the Leg. Do You Have a Problem with That?”The 2007 New England Patriots are putting up a lot of numbers that we haven’t seen in awhile. Along with Brady’s 30/2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, they boast two of the league’s top five most prolific pass-catchers and are coming off a 52-7 demolition of an above average (?) Redskins team.
But what could perhaps be even more impressive is New England’s dominance ATS. For those less prone to wagering, we’re talking about their record “against the spread,” which happens to be a ridiculous 8-0 this year. Beating the odds is one thing. However, Belichick’s crew has managed to do so even as double-digit favorites in half of those games and with a 16.5 point gap to cover the last two weeks. Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News put their performance against the odds in perspective ias part of a great column on Tuesday.
So, here’s the question. I’ve dug around the Internet and have been unable to find this, so pardon my ignorance…but we at The Legend were starting to ponder…what’s the largest NFL point spread ever? We can’t say we’ve been paying attention to the lines since we were in grade school, but we’ve certainly noticed them the past decade or so…and we can’t recall seeing a whole lot of spreads even flirting with around the 20-point vicinity. Why all the conjecture? Let’s take a walk down imagine lane…
Fast-forward to mid-December. Let’s assume the Patriots have continued to dismantle the League. Week 15 they welcome the Jets to Foxboro. For argument’s sake only of course, we’ll assume neither Gang Green hasn’t managed to drum up more than three wins, Kellen Clemens has been trampled and the dangerous Marques Tuiasosopo is behind center (this is not all that far-fetched). Do you see where we’re going with this…give us a spread.
You ask us right now to put a spread on Jets/Pats at Gillette, and we’re thinking in the neighborhood of 23.5. Have we ever seen an NFL spread like that before? Could it be even higher? Throw in the fact that Mangini called Belichick out with the whole spygate thing earlier in the season and you know Bill will have no hesitation about running it up.
The only interesting consideration will be whether the Patriots have lost up to this point. Should they be 12-2 it may mean a bit of mercy for the J-E-T-S and the mighty Dolphins the following week. Coach rests some players…gets healthy for the playoffs, etc.
If not, I can’t wait to see the lines. It could very well be historic.
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Good post, but you’re forgetting about the weather – Massachusetts in mid-December isn’t exactly ideal conditions for the Brady, Moss & Co. show that we’ve seen so far this season. Might make things a little closer than you’d expect.
excellent call. hadn’t thought much about the weather…that could certainly impact the spread downward.
thanks for the comment
Actually remember one of the 1980′s niners teams being favored by 22 1/2 over one of those awful Bungles teams. While the jets spread is sure to be high, the spread when Cleo Lemon and the winless dolphins come to foxboro could shatter some records. And I have a feeling regardless of record, belichick is going to be running it up on anyone they face the entire season. That is who he is.
I can’t find a reference online, but I think the biggest spread ever was 26.5 back in 1976 or 77: Super Bowl Champion Steelers over the expansion, hapless, winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers
the Houstan Texans were more than a 20-point underdog in their inaugural year when they played the Eagles in Philadelphia
thanks for the comments, y’all. good stuff.
The Colts were favored by 18 1/2 over the Jets in Super Bowl III. That was the Super Bowl. After my father won $20 (probably worth $500 in 2007 dollars) betting on the Jets, and they won outright, he decided to never bet on football again because it’s too unpredictable.