New England Patriots
New England Patriots On Monday Night Football, the Denver Broncos head to New England to do battle with the Patriots. Odds makers are calling the Patriots a 3 point favorite with the total sitting at 48.

Since losing NFL MVP Tom Brady to a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of their opener, the 3-2 Patriots have not looked anything like the team that posted the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history in 2007. Led by career backup Matt Cassel, the offense has struggled to move the ball, scoring 20 points or more only once in five games.

On the other side of the ball, New England has given up 89 points while losing two of their last three games. Big plays are proving to be the Patriots biggest obstacle; they are allowing almost 6 yards per play and rank 27th in the NFL. A week ago, San Diego victimized their secondary
for three completions of 48 yards or more, helping the Chargers hand New England a 30-10 defeat.

"Anytime the ball gets thrown over your head in the secondary, that's not good," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "It is every defensive back's job to keep the ball in front of them."

The Broncos won at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 24, 2006, overcoming a 320-yard effort from Brady to beat the Patriots 17-7. Including playoff match-ups, the Broncos have beat the Pats 16 out of the last 19 times they have met.

Big plays have also plagued Denver on defense as well. The Broncos are yielding an AFC-worst 6.24 yards per play. The 4-2 Broncos have allowed 400 or more total yards three times this season, including 416 in last week's 24-17 home loss to Jacksonville.

This one should prove to see a lot of points put on the board by both teams. Take the over 48 in this one.