The oddsmakers have given Bill Belichick another way to fire up the New England Patriots. His Super Bowl champions are 2-point underdogs to Pittsburgh AT HOME in their season opener Monday night.

Making it worse is that this is a big event, the first regular-season game at new Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. And there is recent history: The Patriots beat the Steelers for the AFC title 24-17 in Pittsburgh last January as 10-point underdogs.

Belichick figures to use the betting line as part of the “us against the world” theme for the Patriots this season. Many think of them as fluke champions who got every break.

The Steelers, on the other hand, are clear favorites in the AFC despite losing in the title game, which happened largely because of mistakes on special teams. Bill Cowher replaced his special teams coach, and one of the special teams goats, former first-round pick Troy Edwards, was traded to St. Louis last week.

“I think this is a good group, but what is going to happen remains to be seen,” Cowher says of his team.

The emotion of the evening will happen.

PATRIOTS, 23-18.

San Francisco (minus 3) at New York Giants (tonight)

One of the best rivalries in the NFC a decade ago has been dormant lately, considering the up-and-down fortunes of these teams. The Niners are supposed to be up this year and the Giants down.

Jim Fassel has had two very good seasons and three that were mediocre. The two good seasons both came in years the Giants were supposed to do nothing, so they keep it close

49ERS 31-29.

St. Louis (minus 3) at Denver

The 0-4 preseason record means nothing.

RAMS, 27-20.

Arizona (plus 7) at Washington

Give Steve Spurrier his opener … because of Marvin Lewis’ defense.

REDSKINS, 13-3.

Dallas (minus 7) at Houston

Dallas isn’t as good as it thinks. But it is the best NFL team in Texas.

COWBOYS, 28-6.

Philadelphia (plus 1) at Tennessee

Two teams with great expectations this season. A healthy Eddie George exploits the absence of Jeremiah Trotter in the middle.

TITANS, 16-13.

Jets (minus 3) at Buffalo

The Jets should be good this year, but they traditionally have problems with intradivision games like this.

JETS, 24-20.

Baltimore (plus 2) at Carolina

The Ravens were forced to shed most of their Super Bowl team, and their starting offense didn’t score a touchdown in exhibitions.

A trend: The Panthers’ only win last season was in their opener, although that was with QB Chris Weinke, who’s been replaced by Rodney Peete.

PANTHERS, 6-2.

Minnesota (plus 4 1â2) at Chicago

The Bears got a lot of lucky breaks last season. The Vikings rarely win outdoors.

BEARS, 22-13.

Seattle (plus 7) at Oakland

The Jon Gruden spark is gone.

SEAHAWKS, 24-23.

New Orleans (plus 7) at Tampa Bay

The Jon Gruden spark is in Tampa.

BUCS, 28-10.

Atlanta (plus 7 1â2) at Green Bay

Does anyone remember that Brett Favre was drafted by Atlanta?

PACKERS, 34-23.

Detroit (plus 8) at Miami

The Dolphins don’t lose at home in September.

DOLPHINS, 31-3.

Kansas City (plus 3) at Cleveland

The Browns are taking small steps. This is one …

BROWNS, 13-6.

San Diego (plus 2) at Cincinnati

Marty Schottenheimer started 0-5 in Washington last year.

BENGALS, 5-0.

Indianapolis (minus 3 1â2) at Jacksonville

Tony Dungy returns to Florida.

COLTS, 27-13.