LeGarrette Blount,Dion Lewis

New England Patriots running backs LeGarrette Blount (29) and Dion Lewis (33) pose after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

(Elise Amendola)

The New England Patriots blanked the Houston Texans, 27-0, in late September, and they did so without Tom Brady or even Jimmy Garoppolo playing quarterback.

So, in that respect, the early odds for Saturday's AFC divisional round playoff matchup between the Pats and Texans should not come as a surprise.



According to Sportsbook.ag, the Patriots open as 16-point favorites in their first playoff game of 2017.

If that line holds, it will be the fourth-highest spread in NFL playoff history.

Per Pro Football Reference, here are the most lopsided postseason spreads to date.

Super Bowl XXIX: 49ers favored by 19 points over Chargers (49ers won, 49-26)

Super Bowl III: Colts favored by 18 over Jets (Jets won, 16-7)

1998 playoffs: Vikings favored by 16.5 over Cardinals (Vikings won, 41-21)

1994 playoffs: 49ers favored by 15.5 over Bears (49ers won, 44-15)

1978 playoffs: Cowboys favored by 15 over Falcons (Cowboys won, 27-20)