Pats Favored Over Giants in Super Bowl

Updated: Monday, 23 Jan 2012, 11:26 AM CST
Published : Monday, 23 Jan 2012, 8:49 AM CST

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Las Vegas casinos say the New England Patriots are favorites to win the Super Bowl thanks to their national following, a decade of winning and the playoff success of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick.

Race and Sports Director Mike Colbert says the Patriots opened as three-point favorites over New York in odds posted Sunday night after the Giants beat San Francisco 20-17 in overtime in the NFC championship game.

New England beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 for the AFC title.

Executive Race and Sports Director Jay Kornegay of the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino says an injury to Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a factor that could swing the line up to one point.

Colbert says the 2008 Super Bowl rematch could break wagering records. The Patriots were 12-point favorites four years ago, but the Giants earned a 17-14 win.

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