New England Patriots

2005 Stats

2005 Season Summary

The New England Patriots were known by football fans as back-to-back Super Bowl champions as they entered the 2005 season. But to pro football bettors the Patriots were known for something far more important; they were money in the bank. In their world championship campaigns of 2003-2004 New England had an incredible mark of 27-9-2 against the spread in combined regular and post-season action.

A sports betting market correction was due

New England was at the top of many “go with” lists for pro football bettors and that was unlikely to change much as 2005 began. For savvy and experienced gamblers, however, they realized that, just like a stock, New England was not going to payoff forever and that they would eventually be over-valued. A sports betting market correction was due, the question was only when it was to occur.

A 2005 preseason with nothing to prove

New England was to begin a 2005 preseason with nothing to prove and with the main objective to be avoiding serious injuries to key personnel. The Patriots were 1-3 both straight up and against the spread in the 2004 exhibition campaign, which served as a warning to gamblers to avoid stepping out on the champs when it didn't count.

The preseason opener was at Cincinnati , where the Bengals were installed as 2.5-point chalks, losing to the Patriots 23-13. New England came home for the preseason opener against New Orleans and lost 27-37 as 3.5-point chalks. This was followed by a trip to Green Bay , where the Packers were installed as 3-point chalks. New England had their best preseason performance of the summer with a strong 27-3 win and cover. The preseason finale was a home game against the Giants. New England emptied the bench as 5.5-point chalks, losing 3-27 to finish 2-2 both straight up and against the spread.

Patriots entered the regular season as a target

Not only did New England enter the 2005 season as a “go” team on the lists of the masses of asses but they also entered the regular season as a target. Every week the Patriots could count on receiving their opponent's best shot as two-time defending Super Bowl champions. This set up New England as a potentially dangerous team to become reliant on for gamblers as they were likely to be over-valued against hungry opponents.

New England kicked off the season at home in a special Thursday Night game against Oakland . The Patriots paid off as 7.5-point chalks in a 30-20 win to keep their form from the previous two seasons.

Next was a rematch of the January 2004 Super Bowl against the Panthers at Carolina , where New England was a 3-point chalk. This was to be the first time that the Patriots were clearly over-priced as the NFC contending Panthers prevailed 27-17.

New England next traveled to Pittsburgh for a rematch of the 2004 AFC title game with the Steelers, who were installed as 3-point revenge chalks. Many gamblers loved the revenge angle and were burned as New England prevailed 23-20.

The long feared market correction had begun

Next was a home game against struggling San Diego . The Patriots 2-1 were installed as tempting 4-point chalks but were stunned 17-41 as they blew up more than a few bankrolls with the defeat. New England stood at the quarter pole with a mark of 2-2 both straight up and against the spread. The long feared market correction had begun.

Incredibly enough, in their next game at 2004 NFC runner-up Atlanta , the Patriots were 31-28 winners as 3-point dogs. But the following week at Denver , New England lost 20-28 as 3.5-point dogs to enter the bye week at a most confusing 3-3 both straight up and against the spread. Pro football gamblers were having a difficult time getting a read on the defending champions.

The Patriots opened play after the bye as 10-point home chalks against reeling Buffalo . This game demonstrated New England 's declining value as they won 21-16 while failing to get the cash.

Next was a much-anticipated matchup with undefeated Indianapolis . New England was a 4.5-point home dog, which proved to be a classic trap as the Colts won easily in a 40-21statement-maker. New England stopped the bleeding at Miami the following week in a 23-16 win as 3-point chalks.

The hapless and homeless New Orleans Saints came calling next and the Patriots were installed as 8.5-point chalks, seemingly a fair price. New England won but didn't cover 24-17.

Sports betting market correction reached its climax

An AFC playoff contender showdown at Kansas City was next. Arrowhead Stadium is a notoriously tough place to play and the Patriots were getting just 3-points against the Chiefs and their tremendous home field edge. KC took a 26-16 decision as the sports betting market correction had reached its climax against Patriot investors, who had failed to get paid in five of the last six games. The Patriots entered the stretch drive standing at 6-5 straight up and 4-7 against the spread.

New England next hosted the failing New York Jets as 10-point home chalks and responded with a 16-3 win and cover. That was followed by an impressive 35-7 win at Buffalo as 4.5-point chalks for a second straight payoff.

Resurgent Tampa Bay visited next and New England was installed as a 6-point home chalk, winning in convincing fashion 28-0. Next was a road game at the Jets, which New England took 31-21 as 8.5-point chalks for their fourth straight win and cover as the Patriots regained their value. The regular season finale was a throwaway game against Miami , which the Pats lost 26-28 as 7-point chalks.

The Pats proved to be of little value

In the playoffs, experienced New England proved to be a bargain as 7.5-point home chalks against Jacksonville in a 28-3 win. But in a rematch against the Broncos at Denver , the Pats proved to be of little value as 3-point dogs in a 13-27 loss to end their reign as champions.