Vegas Gives Patriots Some Bulletin Board Material

NFL teams like to have it both ways.

When they're playing well, players and coaches will often talk about how they need to focus on playing, "one game at a time," and tuning out everyone who is hyping them up.

On the other hand, if a squad is struggling, it's all about the "disrespect card," and "nobody believes in us," as a means of newfound motivation.

For the last several weeks, the New England Patriots have been all about the first perspective. After starting off 2-4, the Patriots are on top of the AFC East division, including a perfect 5-0 record away from home.

Their rookie quarterback, Mac Jones, has steadily improved throughout their six-game winning streak, placing himself back into contention for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase over at WynnBET Sportsbook. In fact, Jones' passer rating of 123.2 was the highest amongst all quarterbacks this week.

This week, however, they enter their road matchup against the Buffalo Bills as three-point underdogs. The line surprised many bettors considering how consistent New England has been over the last month and a half; as well as their current status at the top of the division.

Don't expect the Patriots to come out and say it, but they know that Vegas doesn't buy them long term as long as the Bills continue to remain on top of them despite losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts so far this year.

If New England can go into Buffalo with a win against the projected division favorites, it would send a clear message to the rest of the AFC that the Pats should not be taken lightly as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

How Have the Patriots and Bills Fared Against the Spread?

The Patriots and Bills both rank in the top six for NFL teams' records against the spread this season. New England comes in at No. 4, going 8-4-0 so far this season ATS compared to Buffalo at 6-4-1. However, via TeamRankings, no team has covered the spread by more points this season than New England at plus-9.4. Buffalo remains at No. 6 with an ATS plus/minus of plus-4.4.

Despite the Patriots projected to finish behind the Bills at the beginning of the season at WynnBET, they've only been underdogs three times this season. In those games, New England has gone 2-1-0 ATS, but just 1-2-0 straight up. Meanwhile, Buffalo is 5-4-0 as a favorite, but just 2-2-1 as home chalk.

The Patriots are listed at +3 (-105) at the moment, and are a +140 moneyline dog to win outright (bet $100 to win $140).