NFL Picks: Paying the price, both on the field and at the betting window, is often part of the deal for a defending Super Bowl champion. That has been the case for the Seattle Seahawks as they have quickly learned that they will be getting the best shot of every opponent that they face. That, plus all of the public betting money flowing their way, has served to erode Seattle’s betting value and put them in the red.
For the New York Giants their days of Super Bowl glory have long since passed. The losses keep mounting for Big Blue and time is nearly out for head coach Tom Coughlin.
The Seahawks will host the Giants at CenturyLink Field on Sunday with coverage on FOX starting at 4:25 PM ET. Seattle opened as a nine point favorite with a total of 43.5.
Blue goes Red
The Giants are 3-5 both straight up and against the spread with a 5-3 mark over the total. The Giants are coming off a 40-24 Monday night home loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Giants rank a hopeless 29th in the NFL for total defense and 21st for scoring offense.
Smelly Sea
Seattle is 5-3 SU, 3-5 ATS, and 5-3 over the total. The Seahawks are coming off a 30-24 home overlay win over the Raiders as 13.5 point favorites. Seattle ranks fourth in the NFL for total defense but has slipped to 15th for total offense.
Matchup and Pick
The Giants have been a poor road value with just five payouts against the spread in their last 16 away matchups. The Giants have gone under the total in 13 out of their last 20 away games. The Giants have seen a drop in betting value as a dog lately with just two payouts in their last seven games as a pup.
Seattle has been an outstanding home value which would figure at the NFL’s loudest and most intimidating venue. The Seahawks have paid out in 14 out of their last 20 home games with six out of their last eight home games going under the total. Seattle’s betting value has suffered from the challenge of being a Super Bowl champion, at least when favored, as being a champ brings plenty of extra public betting activity not to mention the best shot of all opponents. Seattle has covered just two out of their last seven games as a chalk. Seattle has gone under the total in nine out of their last 13 games as a favorite.
Seattle has covered the spread in their last two meetings with the Giants with four out of the last five meetings between the Seahawks and Giants going over the total.
We like Seattle at home and the under.
