New England Patriots Super Bowl Odds - Patriots 4-1 Favorites

Despite not even making the playoffs last season, the New England Patriots are the favorite to win in Super Bowl XLIV. The oddsmakers have made the Patriots the 4-1 top choice in Super Bowl odds. The main reason that New England is favored in Super Bowl odds is that Tom Brady is back. Recognized as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, Brady returns to lead a powerful offense. The Patriots slipped to 5th in the NFL in points scored last season without Brady, even though quarterback Matt Cassel had a very good season.

Cassel is now in Kansas City while Brady is healthy and ready to lead the Patriots again. New England will have a much different look than last season as head coach Bill Belichick is not going to accept anything less than a win in Super Bowl odds. No longer with the team are big names like Mike Vrabel and Rodney Harrison in addition to others like Matt Cassell, Ellis Hobbs and Jabar Gaffney. The offense is potent again for New England led by Brady and talented wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker. If Fred Taylor has anything left he could be a huge addition to upgrade the running game. At the least he should put pressure on Laurence Maroney to produce. The Patriots should surpass last year’s offensive production.

The defense for New England was only 10th in the league in points allowed last season. The Patriots made a lot of off-season moves on defense including adding Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden to the secondary. The two have combined for 45 interceptions in their careers. The defense should also be better this season because linebacker Adalius Thomas is healthy. He was out for most of last season and the Patriots missed him even though rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo had a super year. New England is favored in Super Bowl odds but they are not without weaknesses. More than twenty players are 29 years are older which means this team is counting on staying healthy.

Last year it was Brady going down that cost them. Could injuries be a factor again in 2009? The Patriots could easily be favored in every game this season. Depending upon how the season develops the only two game where they might be getting points are at Indianapolis and at New Orleans but even in those two games the Patriots could be laying points. Going unbeaten seems unlikely for New England but an AFC East title seems certain and another appearance in Super Bowl odds is very possible.