Are the New England Patriots the 11th-best team in the AFC?
This conversation exploded on social media Wednesday when I posted a quote from a professional oddsmaker who told NESN that he has 10 teams power rated higher than the Pats in the conference.
There is, however, a difference between oddsmaking and bookmaking. An oddsmaker makes numbers, while a bookmaker balances money and liability behind the counter. Bookmakers take those numbers and massage them into shape before posting the lines for customers to bet.
One veteran Las Vegas bookmaker was adamant that it doesn’t matter where you rate these teams in late March.