Lets face it, you cant diss a bettor for taking either of these 2 teams today.
You have the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, who seem to get whatever they need to pick up the win.
And you have the war tested Patriots, one decade to this day its been since they won the big game.
But here are some reasons why I like my money on the Patriots @ -1
A lot of it comes down to match ups . I do not specifically mean individual match ups more then I mean
one teams defensive playing schemes against the opposing teams offensive designs as a group.
This match up , considering the passing attack only, ((imo)) ,
greatly favors New England and their drive style.
Brady will take what you give him, and he will do this all the way down the field.
Seattle has been known to allow short passes in front of them.
This is also the reason why im playing Brady over 24.5 completions today as well.
Simple way to think of this particular game is, Brady's line allows him time normally(even against the tough defenses) and Seattle happens to not be a great pass rushing unit.
Spreading them out with the 2 tight end formations is going to allow many short 5+ yard catches to be open. The question is, will Brady remain calm and methodically take it play by play like he normally does.
This will be key, will Brady pass up the automatic open first down for 5 yards on 3rd and 4 ,
and instead make an attempt at a 1 on 1 covered receiver hailmary 50 yards down the field.
For me, im hoping he takes the 5 yard first down each time... even if a decent shot at long ball is there
A lot of my personal reasoning behind this play revolves heavily behind there last 2 paragraphs.
The running game has to go to Lynch and the Seahawks.Lynch scares the shit out of me.
What I see Patriots preparing for defensively is stopping Lynch and QB Wilson's scramblling for a first down
on crucial 3rd downs.I know , easier said then done on stopping Lynch.
But if they can slightly contain him in the least then that bodes greatly for Pats
since Seattle's offense looks anemic when they become strictly a pass oriented team.
Worth noting that in all 4 Seahawk losses this year,each loss the other team had over 100 rushing yards.
Blunt is important here... but I honestly am clueless how good he is going to do.
The Pats do not need Blount as badas the Hawks need Lynch to perform.
But that does not mean Blount can stink it up and Pats still win.
They just need Blount to pick up some (league average) type yardage and the rest should fall into place.
Seattle does not possess the receivers to win a game against Patriots solely using the aerial attack.
pats front seven is EXTREMELY athletic. Could give Wilson some major probs in those crucial scrambling miracles he pulls off
Patriots defense matches up quite well with Seahawks, once again, this only matters if they contain Lynch.
Darrelle Revis actually had more pro bowl votes then his nemesis Sherman. Pats are healthy on defense
and carry quite possibly more overall depth. Seattles 3 main defensive anchors are battling injuries
couple extra points.
Seattle is not @ home.
Earl Thomas has slightly dislocated shoulder(as mentioned)
along with the 2 other main defenders Chancellor and Sherman nursing injuries
During the defensive run for the Seahawks. Here is the quarterbacks they beat.
Derek Carr, Eli Manning,lost to Alex Smith Chiefs,
won against Drew Stanton , Colin Kaepernick twice,
then beat Ryan Lindley, Shaun Hill, Cam Newton, and then Aaron Rodgers(who played the game with crutches)
and oh yeah, we are talking about this game
because of this....
and this also....
win or lose, the Patriots simply do not breakdown and fold like that.
Seattle will have to come out there and earn each snap.
Last year , Seahawks moved on with a real controversial game against the
Niners(which I thought Seattle should of lost)
but they simply have a way of winning.
Hope the refs do not allow a over stimulated physicality by Seattle's defense
to smother this game. Its been well documented( by fans,officials, and other teams) that was a direct reason for their success last year.
Im not counting the Super Bowl though.
I will fall to my knees and admit the Seahawks came out and won that game
fair and square and in dominating fashion. I will shut the fukk up now
Patriots -1