Super Bowl Odds: The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are favored to meet in Super Bowl XLIX. As the NFL Playoffs begin it is the Seahawks who are the top seed in the NFC while the Patriots are the top seed in the AFC. Let’s look at the teams, Super Bowl odds and odds to win both conferences.
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLIX
Seattle Seahawks 2 – 1
New England Patriots 3 – 1
Denver Broncos 6 – 1
Green Bay Packers 6 – 1
Dallas Cowboys 10 – 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 24 – 1
Carolina Panthers 39 – 1
Baltimore Ravens 42 – 1
Indianapolis Colts 42 – 1
Detroit Lions 48 – 1
Arizona Cardinals 50 – 1
Odds to Win AFC
New England Patriots 5 – 6
Denver Broncos 2 – 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10 – 1
Baltimore Ravens 18 – 1
Cincinnati Bengals 19 – 1
Odds to Win NFC
Seattle Seahawks 5 – 7
Green Bay Packers 3 – 1
Dallas Cowboys 5 – 1
Carolina Panthers 21 – 1
Detroit Lions 26 – 1
Arizona Cardinals 27 – 1
Seahawks Dominating on Defense
The Seattle Seahawks are winning thanks to a defense that is dominating, which led the way in a 20-6 win over division rival St. Louis on Sunday. The defense has been outstanding in recent weeks as they have allowed two touchdowns in their last six games. The defense is the best in the league, allowing just 15.9 points per game. They are also first in fewest yards allowed at just 267.1 and first against the pass with just 185.6 yards allowed. And they are third against the run, allowing only 81.5 yards per game.
This defense is drawing up comparisons to Super Bowl-winning defensive groups like the Ravens of 2000 and the Bears of 1985. The defense led the way last year as the team won the Super Bowl and now the defense is trying to lead a repeat. No team has repeated as Super Bowl champions in a decade.
“It’s extremely hard,” defensive end Cliff Avril said. “It’s actually the hardest thing to do in the NFL, to be consistent, to play that well from week-to-week.”
Patriots Winning with Gronk
The Patriots have been winning ever since tight end Rob Gronkowski got healthy. In the first four games of the season Gronk had just 13 catches and 147 yards. Since then he has 69 catches and 977 yards. The team has lost only once with Gronk in the lineup since then as he sat out the meaningless season finale. If he is healthy then it is hard to see the Patriots losing. And keep in mind that the Patriots have already crushed Denver and Indianapolis this season, their two closest competitors.
Anything can happen in the NFL playoffs but based on how Seattle and New England have played this season, especially at home; it would be a surprise if the teams don’t meet in Super Bowl XLIX.
