Playoff payoff unlikely for Jets
If he could predict his future, Brett Favre would not have cried in public and retired from the NFL.
The veteran quarterback waved goodbye in early March, wavered soon after that, and finally was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets in early August.
Favre made the Jets relevant, but can he lead them to the playoffs? The odds are against him.
The Jets are minus-240 to not make the playoffs, according to a proposition bet posted at Lucky's sports book at the Plaza.
"Absolutely, the Jets are better. But the team was upgraded even before they got Favre," said Jimmy Vaccaro, the director of sports operations for Lucky's.
Still, Vaccaro said he thinks the Jets are only the third-best team in the AFC East, behind the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills. Anyone who disagrees is free to bet on the Jets.
In fact, bettors can now look into the future and wager on or against Favre and the Jets in every game they play.
At Lucky's, almost everything NFL is on the betting board. Vaccaro has posted lines on all 256 games for the 17-week season, with a wagering limit of $500 per game.
For example, the Denver Broncos are at New England in Week 7. It's the Monday night game on Oct. 20. The Patriots are 14-point favorites.
In Week 8, the Jets are 61/2-point home favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fast forward to Week 12, when LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers host Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. The Chargers are 2-point favorites.
With the help of power ratings, Vaccaro said, it's not a difficult task to make the lines so far in advance. But neither is it an exact science.
"There are holes in it because of the concentration point of doing 17 weeks of games," Vaccaro said. "People do enjoy it and they play it. About 65 percent of it is wiseguy action."
Last season for the Packers, Favre passed for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns, with 15 interceptions. This season for the Jets, his prop totals set by Lucky's are 3,8281/2 passing yards, 231/2 touchdowns and 201/2 interceptions.
The regular-season win total for the Jets, who were 4-12 last season, is 81/2 (under minus-135).
While all eyes are on Favre, the Carolina Panthers are Vaccaro's sleeper pick to win the Super Bowl.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
NFL LOOKAHEAD Bettors can predict the somewhat distant future at Lucky's sports book at the Plaza, where point spreads are posted on all 256 games for the NFL's 17-week season. A look at some of the top matchups: Week 2 Patriots (-7) at Jets The setting for Spygate last year is now a showdown between Tom Brady and Brett Favre. Week 3 Cowboys (-41/2) at Packers Favre's replacement, Aaron Rodgers, will be feeling the pressure. Week 5 Vikings at Saints (-3) Is the Saints' defense improved? Adrian Peterson will answer that. Week 6 Patriots (-21/2) at Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson probably won't sit this one out for the Chargers. Week 7 Colts (-4) at Packers Will the Packers be happy they kept Rodgers and traded Favre? Week 8 Chargers (-3) at Saints The Chargers dumped Drew Brees, then he went to the Pro Bowl and led the league in passing yards. Week 9 Cowboys (-2) at Giants Will Adam "Pacman" Jones still be in a Cowboys uniform or wearing a prison jumpsuit? Week 9 Patriots (-1) at Colts Peyton Manning has more commercials, but Brady has the supermodel girlfriend and a 3-1 lead in Super Bowl wins. Week 10 Colts (-1) at Steelers Expect a post-Patriots hangover for the Colts, just like last year. Week 13 Steelers at Patriots (-10) The Patriots should have at least two losses when this game arrives. Week 14 Cowboys at Steelers (Pick) This won't be a Super Bowl preview -- the Steelers aren't that good -- but the matchup always brings back memories. Week 15 Patriots (-101/2) at Raiders A perfect couple -- Bill Belichick visits the "Black Hole." MATT YOUMANS REVIEW-JOURNAL
