New England at Indianapolis

This game is one that most everyone wants to see, and could very well be a prelude to the AFC Championship game. Two of the best QBs all time face off here and that is always good for a push in the total upward. The ironic part of this game is as much as the QBs and offenses are getting to be the headlines for this game, it is the defenses that have been good , but under the radar. From a yardage standpoint, the Patriots' D ranks No. 7 and the Indianapolis Colts defense ranks No. 8, both just 30 yards per game or less from the No. 1 spot! What is even more impressive is that these teams rank No. 1 and No. 2 in fewest points allowed per game. I don't believe that there has ever been a NFL game in history that featured the top two defenses with a total set at 50. It just goes to show you that offense is king in the minds of bettors, and the oddsmakers have to do to account for that. After holding three straight opponents to under 185 yards passing, the Colts allowed 301 yards passing to Matt Shaub last week and that bodes well here as Indy is 16-4 to the UNDER int heir last 20 games following a game in which they allowed 300+ passing yards. Under Belichick, the Pats are 25-13 UNDER in November games (when the mercury drops, his team defense rises). The Belichick-led Pats are also 28-15 UNDER vs. teams that score 24+ ppg. This will be the fourth meeting between these teams in the regular season in the last four years, and not one would have topped this total. I don't think this one does either.