It's Tebow Time up against the
Golden Boy and sportsbooks couldn't be happier.
The two NFL icons meet in Week 15’s marquee matchup when the AFC West-leading Broncos host the AFC-East leading Patriots.
“It’s a beauty, ain’t it?” Wynn Las Vegas sportsbook manager John Avello said. “The Patriots are always a popular team but in this matchup there could be equal liking for both.
“There’s no reason not to play Tebow right now – just the way he keeps his team in the game. On Sunday the crowd in the book was yelling, “Tebow! Tebow!” I haven’t heard that for too many players over the years.”
Denver’s miracle overtime win, 13-10 over Chicago, pushed the game for Broncos backers who laid 3 at the Wynn.
Covers.com’s official line was Denver -3.5, dropping Tebow to 6-2 against the spread since taking over at quarterback. The Broncos, however, have won six straight and seven of eight.
Avello opened Sunday’s game at home to the Patriots at -5.5, but the line was quickly bet up to 6. Most books are offering 6 or 6.5.
“If this number were made four weeks ago, you’re looking at 9.5 or 10,” said Lucky’s oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, who was offering 6.5. “You have to give [Tebow] credit. No matter how you take him apart – good, bad, indifferent, divine intervention – the kid gets it done.”
Pete Korner, founder of The Sports Club oddsmaking service in Las Vegas, sent out 6 to his clients. Korner wanted to recommend 7, but his partners overruled him.
“The teams that Denver has been beaten haven’t exactly been upper-tier teams and they’ve been fortunate to be in low-scoring games,” Korner said. “I don’t think Tebow can generate the offense to stay with New England, because I think New England is going to score 24, 30 points.”
At the Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook, the line opened at 6, dropped to 5 and has gone back to 6.
“The action is going to reflect your opinion of Tebow,” SuperBook manager Jay Kornegay said. “A lot of detractors certainly are going to support New England, and people on the other side are going to pick Tebow and this miracle team.
“This game comes down to: Would you rather be lucky than good?” Kornegay added. “Some people would rather be lucky.”
How much is Big Ben worth?
Many books are holding off on posting the Monday night line for Pittsburgh-San Francisco until Ben Roethlisberger’s status is clarified.
If it looks like Big Ben will play through his high ankle sprain, the line will be San Fran -2 or thereabouts. Without Big Ben, Pittsburgh could be as much as a 6-point underdog, oddsmakers said.
Pittsburgh coaches showed what they think of 37-year-old backup Charlie Batch by putting Big Ben back on the field for the second half against Cleveland.
It didn’t matter that Roethlisberger struggled to make handoffs and could not move in the pocket.
“I don’t really blame them,” Kornegay said, noting Batch’s age and rust. “Ben was able to throw a couple of passes from the pocket.
“Obviously, he can’t move and make the normal plays he makes every single game. If he plays, he’s got to be 80 percent at best and that’s also got to be reflected in the spread. You can’t just leave it as, ‘He’s going to play.’”
BIGGEST SPREADS OF THE WEEK
Green Bay at Kansas City (13.5, 45.5), Jacksonville at Atlanta (-11, 42.5)
Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel will coach the Chiefs now that Todd Haley has been fired. The Packers will be without top wideout Greg Jennings, but that just means more opportunities for Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley and Randall Cobb.
SMALLEST SPREADS OF THE WEEK
Detroit at Oakland (-1, 47.5), Baltimore at San Diego (1.5, 43.5)
The Lions probably would be on a three-game losing streak if the refs hadn’t missed a blatant facemask penalty in the final seconds Sunday against Minnesota.
They’re 2-6 ATS since starting 4-0-1 ATS.
The Ravens are 9-6 ATS as road favorites since coach John Harbaugh took over in 2008, and 29-20-3 ATS in conference games over that span.
BIGGEST TOTALS OF THE WEEK
Detroit at Oakland (-1, 47.5), Carolina at Houston (-6.5, 46.5), New England at Denver (6, 46), Dallas at Tampa Bay (6.5, 46)
The Bucs have given up 34.8 points per game over their last five, and have an 8-5 O/U mark.
Cam Newton’s talent, combined with his turnovers, has helped Carolina post an 8-5 0/U mark too.
SMALLEST TOTALS OF THE WEEK
Seattle at Chicago (-4, 36), Cleveland at Arizona (-6.5, 37.5)
The Bears are averaging 11 points in Caleb Hanie’s three starts. However, under coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have posted a 9-5 O/U mark as road dogs.
