The New England Patriots are 8.0-point favorites over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, per OddsShark.com. 62% of the money has been placed on the Patriots because New England is 7-1 against the spread this season, with the only failure coming in week 4 against the Bills. The Seahawks are 4-4 against the spread in 2016.
There’s a very real chance that Vegas is trying to get people that are too confident on the Patriots. The Seahawks have lost by 8 or more points just twice since 2011: week 2 of 2014 against the Chargers (30-21) and week 2 of 2015 against the Packers (27-17). Can the Patriots become the third team?
The only time the Patriots were bigger favorites in 2016 was as a 10-point favorite against the Browns. Making the Seahawks the second-largest underdog on the Patriots kind of weak 2016 schedule has all the markings of a trap against the spread, even if New England does win straight up.
The over/under is set at 49.0. The Seahawks offense ranks 23rd in points scored per game. The Patriots and Seahawks defenses rank 2nd and 3rd in points allowed per game, respectively. The Patriots have combined with their opponent to exceed 49 points just three times all season (week 2 Dolphins; week 6 Bengals; week 8 Bills). The Seahawks have combined with their opponents to achieve 49 points three times as well (week 3 49ers; week 6 Falcons; week 9 Bills).
Vegas projects a 28.5-20.5 Patriots victory. Can you predict the score?