NFL Odds: Patriots Big Favorites Vs. Bengals In Tom Brady’s Homecoming

The New England Patriots will be looking to extend their straight-up home winning streak against Cincinnati to seven games when they host the Bengals on Sunday as 9-point betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

New England last dropped a home decision to Cincinnati way back in December 1986, when it was pounded 31-7 as 5-point home chalk. Since then the Patriots has won six straight at home against Cincinnati heading into Sunday afternoon’s Bengals vs. Patriots betting matchup at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots return home on a high following last weekend’s 33-13 demolition of the Cleveland Browns. That win lifted them to 17-1 straight-up in their last 18 games when favored by nine or more points, and they covered for a fifth time in their past seven outings.

Last week also marked the return of quarterback Tom Brady, who allayed any concerns about the physical impact of his four-week exile while dissecting the Browns’ defense, completing 28 passes for 406 yards and three scores in the win.

That performance further has raised expectations ahead of New England’s date with the Bengals, a team Brady has owned throughout his career with five SU wins in six starts. The Patriots averaged 37.6 points per game in those five wins, powered by Brady’s 12 touchdown passes against just two picks.

Cincinnati had enjoyed success as a road warrior in recent years, with an 11-6 SU run, 11-5-1 against the spread. But last week’s loss to Dallas marks the Bengals’ third SU loss in their past four games on the road, with the team eking out 17 or fewer points in each of those defeats and and going winless ATS in their past three.

Now sitting with a 2-3 SU record and trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers by three full games in the AFC North standings, the Bengals find themselves in desperate need of a SU win to remain in the playoff picture. That’s reflected in Cincinnati’s fading Super Bowl odds, which have tumbled to a distant +4000 after opening the campaign at +1800.

Conversely, the Patriots have consolidated their position as Super Bowl favorites with very short +350 odds, while Brady’s spectacular season debut has vaulted him to +650 on the odds to win the NFL MVP award.

Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images