The New England Patriots might be starting rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe under center in Sunday’s Week 5 matchup with the Detroit Lions, and they could also be without their best receiver for a third straight week.
And none of it matters to oddsmakers, who still have the Patriots pegged as favorites at Gillette Stadium.
According to Tipico Sportsbook, the team will enter the game as 3.5-point favorites against Detroit, who has the No. 1-ranked scoring offense in the league. The Lions are averaging 35 points per game, and it’s going to fall on the Patriots defense to come out firing on all cylinders in an effort to shut them down. It might also fall on Zappe, assuming he gets the start, to match that effort on the other end.
Mac Jones is still pushing to play through a high ankle sprain, while Brian Hoyer is still out with a concussion. So the Patriots really don’t know who their starting quarterback will be for this game.
But whoever gets the start, the odds seem to be leaning on the fact that the Patriots will be at home facing off against a Lions defensive unit that has been pretty atrocious this season. They might be explosive offensively, but they’re giving up the most yards and points on defense.
If there was ever a time for the Patriots to unlock their offense, Sunday’s meeting with the Lions would be the perfect opportunity.
