The New England Patriots are underdogs? To the New York Jets? That’s the NFL betting reality we live in now that Tom Brady is out for the season. And the Pats are just one of several teams with quarterback questions heading into their Week 2 matchups.
Brady looked like he was done for the season when he limped off the field early last Sunday, and sure enough the Patriots put him on injured reserve on Monday. The star QB reportedly tore both his MCL and his ACL, and recovery time could take up to nine months. That could end up affecting his ability to prepare for the 2009 NFL campaign.
However, the Pats are focusing their concern on 2008 right now, and preparing inexperienced backup Matt Cassel to guide their offense. Cassel completed 13-of-18 pass attempts for 152 yards last weekend against the Chiefs in relief of Brady, with one TD strike and no interceptions. That was enough to let the Patriots start the year at 1-0.
Whether or not those kind of QB numbers will be enough for the Pats going forward remains to be seen, but Cassel will be behind center once again this Sunday against the rival Jets. Had Brady still been on the roster the Pats would have been double-digit road favorites to beat New York; instead, the Jets are currently listed as 1.5-point faves.
Kansas City lost to the Patriots, and they also lost starting QB Brodie Croyle on Sunday. Croyle went 11-of-19 for 88 yards passing before suffering a separated shoulder, which has now made him ‘week to week’. Damon Huard completed the game for the Chiefs, and he’ll get the gig again this weekend when they host the Raiders as 3-point favorites.
Also knocked out of action last weekend was Titans QB Vince Young, who now has a sprained knee (to go along with questions about his emotional state). Young went 12-of-22 for 110 yards with one TD and two INTs in the team’s 17-10 win over the Jaguars in their opener, while Kerry Collins mopped up by going 2-for-2 for 65 yards. Collins will get the start this weekend when the Titans play in Cincinnati as 1-point road underdogs.
Finally, Buccaneers QB Jeff Garcia has been ruled out for Week 2 because of an ankle injury. Garcia completed 24-of-41 pass attempts for 221 yards in the Bucs’ 24-20 road loss to the Saints in Week 1, with one TD and one INT. Brian Griese has been confirmed as the team’s Week 2 starter, with Tampa 7.5-point home faves vs. Atlanta.
Check the BetUS NFL odds section for all of the latest lines and total for this weekend.