[vincesanity82]

In December of 1976, the Pittsburgh Steelers were a first-place team sporting a roster full of future Hall of Famers, and they were the defending Super Bowl champions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a winless expansion team.

When the teams played each other on Dec. 5, 1976, the Steelers were 24-point favorites. Pittsburgh covered the spread easily, winning the game 42-0.

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that that game is the last time there was an NFL point spread as large as the 22-point spread for this weekend's Patriots-Eagles game.

"The line for the Patriots-Eagles game was immediately set at 17 points -- and the big bettors, the sports syndicate guys, jumped on it, bet it hard," said Brandon Lang, whose life was depicted by Matthew McConaughey in the movie "Two for the Money" and is regarded as the nation's leading sports handicapper. According to bookies and oddsmakers, all the big money took the Patriots and gave the points. Why? Because Belichick has been running up the score. "So the spread jumped all the way to 22 in a matter of minutes," said Lang.

Patriots Favored by 22 Over Eagles; Largest Point Spread Since '76 Steelers-Bucs - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

[Lefty Noob]

Now the big question - anyone think the Eagles can cover?

[ThePundit]

It's up to 23 1/2. This is insane. Yes, I think they can cover. I took them in my pick the points pool.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

It's up to 23 1/2. This is insane. Yes, I think they can cover. I took them in my pick the points pool.

you think the Eagles can cover ? ......... im not so sure ... i fully expect the Pats to score a minimum of 42 .... that means Philly has to score 19 to cover .... im not convinced they can

[Lefty Noob]

McNabb's out - believe it or not, I think that'll HELP the Eagles, not hurt them. I think they can cover too.