Bodog Beat

Bill Belichick may want to stick to getting his video from Netflix. (AI Wire photo)

Roger Goodell proved that no transgression is without harsh penalty. The tough NFL commissioner smacked Bill Belichick with a $500,000 fine and handed the New England Patriots a $250,000 ticket for spying on opponents. The Patriots' nefarious ways were put in the spotlight after Sunday's 38-14 win over the New York Jets. It was revealed that the Patriots had a video assistant, Matt Estrella, tape the Jets' coaches giving signals on the sidelines, a move designed to steal the play calls from the AFC East rival.

The Patriots will also lose at least one draft pick. Goodell ordered them to surrender their first-round pick in 2008 if they make the playoffs and picks in the second and third rounds if they don't. The $500K fine is the maximum allowed to be levied on a coach.

"This episode represents a calculated and deliberate attempt to avoid longstanding rules designed to encourage fair play and promote honest competition on the playing field," Goodell said in a letter to the Patriots.

Eric Mangini, the Jets' head coach and former New England assistant, had alerted the league of Belichick's tactics. How the Patriots react to the controversy will be known Sunday when they face the San Diego Chargers, an AFC powerhouse who nearly beat New England in the playoffs last year. The Chargers are 3.5-point underdogs against the point spread as they travel to Foxborough, Mass., for a highly anticipated contest.

The Chargers and Patriots are the NFL favorites. The Patriots have Super Bowl odds of 2/1 and the Chargers are at 6/1.

For complete NFL odds for Week 2, visit the Bodog Sportsbook, and read Bodog Nation for NFL picks each week.