I am writing this to urge prop betters to keep a close eye on the inactive list for the following reason:
Those of us who watch the Patriots play every week know that when the Pats go run-heavy -- as they did with Indy -- they activate Cameron Fleming to serve as an extra lineman on heavy sets. The thing is: if they don't plan on using that set, his roster spot goes to someone else (maybe an extra WR like Brian Tyms, or a special teamer like Chris White).
So before placing prop bets on several key rushing props, look at the inactive list.
If Fleming is active (I suspect he will, but only the Pats know for sure)
Blount Over 14.5 carries
Blount OVER rushing yards (forget the number off the top of head)
Edelman OVER .5 carries (they almost always run a reverse once defense starts biting toward the Fleming side of the line -- 11/16 games this year Edelman has a carry, and it is often out of this heavy set.)
Hooman -- over 6.5 yards receiving -- hooman will get a lot of snaps if they run heavy formation a lot.
Also, know that having these extra lineman was a key part of Belichick's inielgible, eligible stuff -- So I do suspect Fleming will be active.
But, if Fleming is inactive...
I would bet the UNDER on those Blount/Edelman rushing/carries stuff.
Plus, I will strongly consider betting :
OVER for Vereen carries
OVER Vereen yards
Over Vereen catches
as without the heavy set, he will get twice as many snaps, and thus, likely more yards, carries and catches.
I really think this provides an edge to close observers of the Pats -- and hopefully one the books are not too keen on -- that is the beauty of props (and hence the harsh maximum bet restrictions.
Pat's fans -- am I right here? Am I missing anything?