Super Bowl Point Spread: Public Not Buying into Favored Patriots

When was the last time a favorite seemed so, well, unfavored?

Despite the New England Patriots being three-point favorites in most sportsbooks headed into Super Bowl XLVI, it's almost as if everyone outside of New England is picking the New York Giants.

Some sportsbooks, such as the MGM Grand/Mirage, have tried to make up for the public sentiment by the lowering the point spread to 2.5, and there's still a chance the odds could be dramatically adjusted before game time.

Since when has the general public completely ignored the majority of critics? And since when has it ignored Tom Brady and Bill Belichick?

The short and sweet of it is that the Giants beat the Patriots the last time they met in the Super Bowl four years ago and they are on a similar run this season. They also have another explosive pass rush led by Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora and Eli Manning is playing like an elite quarterback.

But what happened to giving Brady, Belichick and the Patriots the benefit of the doubt that they will make adjustments and exact revenge on the Giants? After all, Brady is the only man who can challenge Joe Montana as the greatest quarterback of all time and Belichick is the greatest coach of all time. Doesn't that mean anything?

There's also the fact that the Giants barely squeaked into the playoffs with a 9-7 record, helped out by a crumbling NFC East. Does that count for anything?

Apparently not.

Right now, America as a whole seems to be on board with Manning and the Giants. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, the country growing tired of the Brady-Belichick duo. Perhaps it's the fact the Patriots were ranked 31st against the pass this season. Or perhaps it's because the Giants really should be the favorite.

I'm going with all of the above.

Call me a sheep if you will.