Despite Brady Suspension, Pats Still Favorites To Beat Steelers In Opener
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - When it was announced that the Steelers and Patriots would play each other in the NFL's season opener, Vegas immediately made the Patriots a 6.5-point favorite.
Now, following Tom Brady's 4-game suspension for DeflateGate, the line has moved, but the Steelers are still listed as the underdog.
Lines in Vegas for the game have now dropped to anywhere from the Patriots being a 1.5-point to a 2.5-point favorite.
It's no real surprise the line dropped as much as it has given the drop off from Brady quarterbacking the Patriots to his backup Jimmy Garoppolo.
Brady is appealing his suspension, but if it's at least upheld to the point where he misses the opener against the Steelers, Garoppolo would be making the first start of his NFL career.
In six games as a rookie in 2014, Garoppolo threw for 182-yards and one touchdown.
Brady won't be the only one missing out on the game. The Patriots will also be without running back LeGarrette Blount and the Steelers will be without running back Le'Veon Bell as the two serve suspensions of their own.