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Seahawks vs. Broncos 2014 SuperBowl Betting Predictions & Preview

Seahawks vs Broncos Superbowl Betting?

Broncos Early Favorites to Win Super Bowl

A terrific season of NFL action culminates February 2 in New Jersey when the best offense in the NFL, the Denver Broncos squares off with the best defense in the league, the Seattle Seahawks. It’s the first time since 1990 that the league’s top offense will face the No.1 defense in the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks (13-3) vs. Denver Broncos (13-3)
When: 6:30 PM ET, Sunday, February 2, 2014
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Broadcast: FOX
Seahawks vs. Broncos Betting Lines
Seattle Seahawks +2½ -105 +115 Ov 47 -110
Denver Broncos -2½ -115 -135 Un 47 -110
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It will be the first time in 15 years that the Broncos have participated in the Big Game and the first time since 2006 that the Seahawks will play on the biggest stage. Vegas have instilled the Broncos as early 2 1/2 point favorites for the contest although many feel that this game is just too close to call. Let’s break it down.

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There is zero secret as to what the Seattle Seahawks will bring to their clash against the Broncos – defense. The Hawks have been the best defense in football all season long and proved once again last week that the offense doesn’t have to be great – the defense will win the game.

Seattle surrendered just 14.4 points per game this season, as well as a meager 172 passer yards per contest. Emotional leader Richard Sherman continues to be a lightning rod but he backs up his play on the field – he the league in the past two seasons with 16 total interceptions and when he is not picking the ball off, Sherman is usually making something happen for his team.

Obviously the Seahawks defense will be Denver’s stiffest test to date – the Broncos rely on an explosive offense and the Seahawks get it done through their stellar defense. Seattle slowed a hot offense in San Francisco and they won’t have to worry about the scrambling ability of their opposing QB in the Super Bowl.

Offensively the Seahawks haven’t exactly been world beaters as of late. But a look back at their last four games overall shows that they have played some tough defenses down the stretch. Denver is far from a tough defense.

Russell Wilson turned back into a game manager down the stretch – he averaged just 116 yards passing in his three games before last week and had 215 yards against San Francisco. Wilson and the passing game were 26th in NFL this year – pretty low for a Super Bowl team! Percy Harvin should help those numbers as he gets back on the field February 2. Wilson is a master of taking what the defense gives – a little more running out of the backfield would be nice though!

It will likely be up to Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks fourth ranked rushing offense. Lynch had 1,257 yards and 12 TDs this year while Wilson piled up 539 yards and a TD on the ground.

Seattle’s strength offensively plays somewhat into the hands of Denver’s defensive strength – the Broncos were eighth against the run this year (just 101.6 yards surrendered per game). That may be a tad misleading however – teams had to throw the ball to keep up with the Broncos prolific offense. The opposition often abandoned the run early in many of the games. But Denver held New England’s HOT rushing game to just 64 yards last week.

Denver’s pass defense is very exploitable – 27th in the NFL and allowing 254.4 yards per game. Again, these numbers are likely inflated because teams absolutely had to throw the ball to keep up.
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Now for Denver`s offense. There has never been a more prolific group in the history of the NFL – they have been a nightmare for every team they have faced so far this year. Peyton Manning passed for NFL record 5,477 yards this year and an incredible 55 TDs. He had 400 yards last week and 2 TDs squashing the notion that he disappears in big games.

Manning is an absolute field general and his big, sure-handed weapons are the envy of absolutely every team. Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Erik Decker and Julius Thomas are nearly impossible to game plan against. Despite Seattle`s insane defense – first in scoring defense (14.4 points per game allowed), pass defense (172 yards per game) and total defense (273.6 yards per game), the edge has to go to Peyton and the boys ahead of this contest.

Denver discovered a running game somewhere along the line as well – finishing 15th in the NFL in that category. Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball guided the team to 117.1 yards per game this year – a terrific compliment to an unprecedented passing game. The duo has rushed for 236 yards and a TD already this postseason meaning that the Hawks will have to account for them as well as the Manning show.

2014 Super Bowl Football Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:

• SEA are 13-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• SEA are 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 games overall.
• Over is 13-2-1 in DEN last 16 games on fieldturf.
• DEN are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
• DEN are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 playoff games.

The number one defense versus the best defense in the NFL – what a matchup! Denver seems to be the sentimental favorite in this game but sentiment doesn`t win championships. I expect the Seattle defense to slow Denver`s offense just enough and for Seattle`s offense to prey on the weakest defense they have seen in six weeks. It should be a high scoring, close game but the old adage “Defense wins Championships“ rings true. In a thriller, take the Seahawks to win their first ever title!

Pick: Seattle Seahawks +2 1/2

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.