Cassel, Pats likely used bye week constructively

In this upside-down NFL season, the New England Patriots finally are looking up at others in the standings.

The knee-jerk reactions to Tom Brady's injury and the abysmal defeat against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago still are shocking. Can any rational football fan really write off the Patriots?

New England, off its bye week, is a 3-point favorite at San Francisco today. It's a big test, and the week off couldn't have come at a better time. It's reasonable to assume coach Bill Belichick conducted an interesting two weeks of practice.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants oddsmaker Mike Seba said he thinks several things will have been accomplished during New England's extra week of preparation. The player who should have benefited the most is quarterback Matt Cassel, Brady's replacement.

"Most importantly, Cassel will have had some time to settle into a comfort level with the offense," Seba said. "The Patriots also will have gotten back to fundamentals, which certainly weren't on display against the Dolphins."

While the betting public is unsure what to make of the Patriots, a few other teams -- Buffalo, Tennessee and the New York Giants -- are gaining recognition.

Three unbeaten teams are in action today. But something is missing. All we hear is Dallas this and Philadelphia that, and now the Washington Redskins enter the conversation after their upset victory at Dallas.

How can the 3-0, defending Super Bowl champion Giants be flying under the radar? They return to action by hosting Seattle as 7-point favorites. The Giants will be without suspended wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

LVSC odds director Tony Sinisi said he senses something different about the Giants.

"There is a definite sense of maturity and accomplishment early in the season coming off their championship run," he said. "The fact that no one is talking about them is a great thing. Coaches love to manufacture chips on their teams' shoulders. The 'no respect' angle would be good ammo for Tom Coughlin to feed his troops."

Where will the points come from when Tennessee (4-0) visits Baltimore? The Titans are 3-point favorites. Both teams possess aggressive, ball-hawking defenses, with lunch-pail offenses. It's not surprising the total of 331/2 is the lowest on the board.

LVSC oddsmaker Sean Van Patten looks at the two teams and sees one big difference.

"It's the Titans' offense being more balanced," he said. "They don't do it often, but Tennessee has the ability to stretch the field, which is a huge deal against a defense that can pin its ears back."

Points should be plentiful when Buffalo (4-0) plays at Arizona, which is back from a winless two-game trip to the East Coast. The upstart Bills are showing a penchant for playing 60 minutes and not panicking in the fourth quarter.

"There is a well-defined hump to get over for young teams," Sinisi said. "We heard the Raiders chatter this week about competing hard but not finishing games off. It's early, but the Bills could be ahead of that learning curve."

Buffalo, a 1-point underdog, could be in a tough spot. The Cardinals' pride was scalded last week, when the New York Jets' Brett Favre torched them for six touchdown passes.

Brian Blessing, project manager for Las Vegas Sports Consultants, can be reached at bblessing@lvsc.com. Hear the LVSC oddsmakers on Sportsbook Radio, weekdays at 4 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio (920 AM). Visit vegassportsconnect.com for more odds information.