Super Bowl XLIX is just over a week away and Vegas has been waffling all week long when it comes to determining the lines for the Biggest Game on the Planet.<\/p>\n
As of now, they have the Pats as 1 point favorites and the Total at 48 points? Interesting to say the least. <\/p>\n
\nNFL Football\u00a0Gambling<\/h3>\n
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- Super Bowl XLIX Matchups<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
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- Super Bowl XLIX Odds<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- ***2015 BONUSES***<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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How will injury, controversy and the rigors of two full weeks of media scrutiny affect the game on the field? Who wins?<\/p>\n
And how many points will be scored? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n
\nNFL Super Bowl XLIX<\/h3>\n
Seattle Seahawks<\/a> vs. New England Patriots<\/a><\/strong>
\n When: Sunday, February 1, 6:30 PM ET<\/strong>
\n Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale<\/strong>
\n Broadcast: FOX<\/strong>
\nPatriots NFL Betting Odds: -1 -110 -118<\/strong>
\nSeahawks NFL Betting Odds: +1 -110 -102<\/strong>
\nNFL Over\/Under Betting Odds: 48<\/strong>
\nMatchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLet\u2019s start with the Spread \u2013 Vegas currently has the Patriots as a 1 point favorite but that line is changing seemingly every day! The Seahawks have some injury concerns for sure \u2013 Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman were banged up against Green Bay.<\/p>\n
The Patriots have \u201cInflate-Gate\u201d that threatens to become a huge distraction for them ahead of the Title game.<\/p>\n
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But when everything is thrown into the wash, the old adage \u201cDefense Wins Championships\u201d seems to be the big factor here. Seattle\u2019s defense ranked first in points per game (15.9), first in yards per game (267.1), third in rushing yards per game (81.5) and first in passing yards per game (185.6) and they held an explosive Green Bay team down in the NFC Championship game.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t seem to matter who the Hawks play \u2013 bet on the defense showing up and making a huge difference.<\/p>\n
Distractions also play into my thinking here. New England will be answering questions all week long about the deflated balls in the Indianapolis game. Focus is paramount in Title games \u2013 my thinking is that the Pats will not quite have to intense focus that will be needed to best a historically good defense!<\/p>\n
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The Patriots are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in February, are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Super Bowl games and are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 playoff games. The Pats have played in seven Super Bowls and have covered in just one. They are also 1-9 ATS in their last nine games on grass.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the Hawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 playoff games and are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games on grass.<\/p>\n
The Seattle Seahawks look like a team of destiny \u2013 just ask the Green Bay Packers. There seemed to be some Divine Intervention at work in the NFC Championship game. The past trends, the current on field\/off field issues and most recent history favors the surprising underdog here.<\/p>\n
Full of belief, the Seahawks should be able to conquer a team that will have controversy throwing a little doubt into their mix!<\/p>\n
Super Bowl XLIX ATS Pick: Seattle Seahawks +1<\/h3>\n
Now for the Total that is set for 48 points. Surprisingly low considering one of the more explosive offenses in the game \u2013 one that seems to be peeking and scored 45 points in their AFC Championship game is involved. That followed a game that they scored 35 against the Ravens.<\/p>\n
The Seahawks have scored some points as well in the playoffs \u2013 I can\u2019t imagine the frequent commercial stops in the game will slow what could be a points fest.<\/p>\n
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The OVER is 3-0 in the last three games between these two teams, 13-3 in Seattle’s last 16 games against AFC East opponents, and 5-1 in New England’s last six games against NFC West opponents.<\/p>\n
Both defenses are formidable in this game but the both offenses have a knack of taking what`s given them and exploiting it for their own gain.<\/p>\n
Expect some points in this game \u2013 maybe not in the first half. But once in a rhythm, both should have some success against one another \u2013 Bill Belichick has an extra week to prepare and the Seahawks got their bad game out of the way.<\/p>\n