Sunday’s round of Week one NFL matches has come and gone with no change at the top. The New England Patriots still sit pretty as the US bookmaker’s favorites to win the 100th Super Bowl.
On Monday, most New Jersey sportsbooks had them at around +400 (4/1). They were followed at a distance by Kansas City Chiefs at +700 and the New Orleans Saints at +900. Philadelphia Eagles and LA Rams at +1000 were next best with Miami Dolphins bottom of the pile at +2500.
The Patriots have been futures favorites to win their seventh Super Bowl ever since claiming their sixth title last year. Their impressive 33-3 Week 1 victory over Pittsburg Steelers on Sunday served only to strengthen this claim.
Steelers are usually one of the strongest hurdles faced by the Patriots in their annual quest to win the AFC division. This they were certainly not on Sunday. New England were so slick, so professional and so dominant, the Steelers never had a chance. Coach Belichick could hardly have asked for a better start.
And yes, this without their new star signing from the Steelers, Antonio Brown. His absence from the Pittsburg offensive lineup at Gillette Stadium Sunday was glaringly obvious.
Probably the best receiver in the NFL, he will want to be kept busy. For this, he’ll rely on his new star-studded quarterback team headed by 42-year-old football phenom Tom Brady.
Receivers Dorsett and Gordon shone for the Pats
Brady completed 67% of his passes for 341 yards Sunday and receivers Phillip Dorsett (two touchdowns) and Josh Gordon (one) were able to shine. Certainly, they did enough to warn Brown that not every pass thrown by Brady would come his way. He may have to be a lot more patient than he is accustomed to being
Says Gordon, a relatively new Patriots acquisition: “For me, initially, it was a culture shock.”
“It was definitely different. But as I grew in this environment, I got to observe other young men move and organize and act professionally.
“This is the way it’s done here. Get with it or look for a transition somewhere else. It’s tough, but if this is what you want to do. I think it’s the best place to be. Antonio is Antonio. He will have to find his own way.”
If Brown fits in with the Patriots’ winning culture, the sky is the limit for him and New England. The Belichick-Brady led Patriots will be harder than ever to stop. If not, he’ll likely leave but they’ll survive. Their performance Sunday was a good pointer to that.
Following are the results of the NFL’s week 1 matches played so far, with two more matches are scheduled for tonight.
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UPCOMING GAMES (TUESDAY SEPT 10)
Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints at Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Denver Broncos vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland
THURSDAY GAME’S SCORE:
Green Bay Packers 10, Chicago Bears 3
SUNDAY GAMES’ SCORES
Washington Redskins 27, Philadelphia Eagles 32.
Buffalo Bills 17, New York Jets 16.
Atlanta Falcons 12, Minnesota Vikings 28.
Baltimore Ravens 59, Miami Dolphins 10.
Kansas City Chiefs 40, Jacksonville Jaguars 26.
Tennessee Titans 43, Cleveland Browns 13.
Los Angeles Rams 30 Carolina Panthers 27.
Cincinnati Bengals 20, Seattle Seahawks 21.
Indiana Colt 24, Los Angeles Chargers 30.
San Francisco 49ers 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17.
New York Giants 17, Dallas Cowboys 35.
Detroit Lions 27, Arizona Cardinals 27.
Pittsburgh Steelers 3, New England Patriots 33.
