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The New England Patriots started the 2011 NFL pre-season in style by picking up a 47-12 blow out home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday as 3-point favorites.
It was a bit surprising due to starting quarterback Tom Brady not playing, as he was looking to start putting last year’s 28-21 AFC Divisional loss to the New York Jets behind him. “I’ll never get over that loss,” Brady commented. “It was as painful as we’ve had as a team.”
Both backup quarterbacks shined in his absence, as Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallet allowed the Patriots to out gain the Jaguars by 283 total yards, including 240 through the air.
Tampa Bay is coming off an impressive pre-season opener of its own, shutting out the Kansas City Chiefs 25-0 at Arrowhead Stadium last Friday. The Buccaneers gained 353 yards to the Chiefs’ 137, while racking up 18 first downs to Kansas City’s six.
Head coach Raheem Morris has certainly turned around the franchise, but is 1-3 ATS at home during exhibition action.
