Ok Clover, here goes: First off, NFL football offers handicapping challenges that differ from college in so many ways especially when high-profile games (play-offs and the Super Bowl) are involved. Well over $4 billion plus will be wagered when all the illegal and office pools are calculated in along with Vegas and the off-shore houses are combined. This gives the sports books a lot of room to "operate. The opening line (NE -5) was probably right-on.
The "proposition bets" are another matter (how do you handicap a coin toss)? So, I will make my usual "small" bet with a "local" who I've known for 35 years ($200), that's it. Obviously, I'm not risking the Farm (LOL). I have Philadelphia plus (5), got it early. No doubt, Brady and NE will have a lot of inertia going for them plus they've grown accustomed to winning Super Bowl rings......maybe too accustomed.