Tom Brady returns for Monday Night Football

Not even the absence of Tom Brady last year stopped the Patriots from continuing their dominance of Buffalo. New England swept a fifth straight season series (8-2 ATS) from its AFC East rival and takes an 11-game series winning streak into the Monday night opener at Gillette Stadium. The Bills haven’t defeated the Patriots since Week 1 of the 2003 campaign, and even worse is they haven’t scored more than 17 points in any meeting since that game.

Perhaps the debut of flamboyant wide receiver Terrell Owens can get Buffalo over the hump against New England and set the tone for the team’s first playoff season since 1999.

But as Boston rockers Aerosmith would suggest: Dream On.

Brady, not Owens, will be the center of attention in this one after going down in last year’s opener and missing the remainder of the season following a record-setting 2007. Brady’s reconstructed ACL and MCL have passed all the tests, and he’s still got Randy Moss and Wes Welker as primary targets and another potential home-run threat in Joey Galloway. The Patriots have covered six of last eight games against the AFC.

Buffalo’s defense needs to be better and more consistent, especially against the run. Even with Marcus Stroud up front, the unit gave up 121.6 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns, ranking 22nd and tied for 24th in those categories, respectively. The Bills also had only 24 sacks, which prompted the drafting of Aaron Maybin (1a-Penn State) at No. 11 overall. Maybin led the Big Ten in sacks with 12. One matchup to watch closely is right end Aaron Schobel, who missed the last 11 games of last season with a foot injury, against Patriots left tackle Matt Light. After 5-1 start last season, the Bills closed 2-8 and 3-7 ATS.

Offensively, with Marshawn Lynch serving the first of his three-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy the Bills will turn to Fred Jackson and Xavier Omon for ground work. Lynch topped 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, while Jackson (571 yards) averaged 4.4 yards on 130 carries in 2008. The Bills are only 2-9-1 ATS in last dozen trips to New England.

New England could also use a three-pronged running game. Laurence Maroney is still considered the starter, but he’s on thin ice and coming off an injury that limited him to a 28-carry year. Fred Taylor, formerly of Jacksonville, wasn’t given a contract to watch from the sideline and will see action. Pats backers have been taking it on the chin at home with 3-8 ATS record since 2007.

DiamondSportsbook.com has New England favored by 11 over the Bills, with a total of 46.5. The UNDER has been good 17 times in last 22 matchups and the Patriots have not covered their last seven home games as favorites of 10 or more points. Here is a look at how either team covers the spread.

Buffalo covers if they attack New England vertically. The Bills didn’t bring in T.O. to run five yard out-routes, they need him to be dynamic presence in pushing the ball downfield. This could open up chances for Lee Evans who also has breakaway speed with big play explosiveness. The New England secondary isn’t exactly rock solid at the moment and if Bills linemen can keep Trent Edwards clean, they will have opportunities. Though Brady looked comfortable in limited action in the preseason, every quarterback who has gone thru major knee surgery, has to be a little nervous with players around their feet, it’s only natural. The best way to bother Brady is with pressure. If the Bills can execute properly they could make this a touchdown or less contest.

New England covers because they have no fear of the Bills and have won last 11 meetings by 22.7 points per game. Coach Bill Belichick will want to have Brady get comfortable right away, with quick throws to Welker and Moss out of the shotgun. This opens up numerous options in the offense and if the Buffalo pass rush is anywhere as anemic as last season, the Pats explode. The Patriots are not 100 percent situated on defense, especially without Richard Seymour, nonetheless that’s better than the Bills offensive setup, who fired offensive coordinator Turk Schonert September 4, 10 days before this game. Sounds like Pats by say 22.

Monday Night Football System - Play On a favorite of 10 or more points. This system is 15-8 ATS, 65.2 percent with the favored team 22-1 straight up.

College and Pro Football Newsweekly contributed to this article.