SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal

With the unbeaten New England Patriots and glamour-boy quarterback Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, the stage is set for potential record-breaking betting numbers.

The Patriots improved to 18-0 on Sunday, and their continued pursuit of NFL history is sure to result in big business for Las Vegas sports books.

As expected, New England is a heavy favorite to win Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3 at Glendale, Ariz. But in a surprising twist to the script, the New York Giants will be playing the Cinderella role.

The Patriots were posted as 13½-point favorites over the Giants when the opening line for the Super Bowl went up Sunday night. "I have every reason to believe this Super Bowl will be one of the biggest ever, if not the biggest one ever," MGM Mirage sports book director Robert Walker said.

MGM Mirage books opened New England as a 13-point favorite, while Las Vegas Sports Consultants sent out 14 as the suggested line.

The consensus number settled at 13½. The total is 54.

With two weeks of hype to follow, the wagering handle in Nevada could reach $100 million for the first time.

"I'm very confident this is going to be a record-setting Super Bowl," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said.

"People are very intrigued by the Patriots' perfection and their run at history."

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