How to Bet the Spread on Seahawks vs. Patriots: Super Bowl 2026 Betting Strategy
As part of our how to bet on Super Bowl 2026 series, I'm offering an easy-to-learn guide on spread betting and how it works.
The Seahawks are the 4.5-point betting favorite for the Big Game. Come along for the ride as I detail exactly what that means, how the corresponding odds work, and what your potential profits can be based on current against-the-spread betting lines. This series is part of our extensive coverage and Super Bowl predictions.
🖐️ What is spread betting?
Spread betting is designed to level the playing field, making it more challenging for sports bettors than simply backing a favorite on the moneyline.
Betting against the spread (ATS) also offers the opportunity for higher profit margins on underdog bets than moneyline bets do, along with a higher likelihood of winning when betting on the underdog.
Against-the-spread betting bridges the gap between sizable favorites and long-shot underdogs.
Let's use the current Super Bowl odds for the forthcoming Big Game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., to demonstrate how spread betting works.
What is Seahawks vs. Patriots spread for Super Bowl 2026?
Super Bowl spread betting odds via the best sports betting sites.
| Team | Spread | Odds (FanDuel) |
|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | -4.5 | -112 |
| Patriots | +4.5 | -108 |
The betting favorite has a minus (-) preceding the point spread. As you'll see above, FanDuel has the Seahawks at -4.5, meaning they are the 4.5-point betting favorite for Super Bowl 60.
🗒️ What is a handicap?
- A handicap is the point value assigned. For example, the Seahawks have a handicap of -4.5
- Oddsmakers assign a handicap to the stronger team, the favorite, and a cushion to the weaker one, the underdog
🗒️ How does spread betting work?
If you're a Seattle fan and plan on aligning on how Seahawks fans are betting Super Bowl 2026, you'll need Mike Macdonald's team to win by at least 5 points to cover the spread and for your bet to cash.
Conversely, a plus (+) before the number, in this case +4.5, denotes the underdog. The Patriots are the 4.5-point betting underdog. If you're a New England fan and would like to follow how Patriots fans are betting Super Bowl 2026, you'll be backing Mike Vrabel's team.
That means you need the Patriots to lose by 4 points or fewer to cash your ATS bet. A Patriots victory would also result in a win for you.
🗒️ What does covering the spread mean?
- If the Seahawks, the 4.5-point betting favorite, wins by at least 5 points, they will cover the spread
- It means the team in question wins by more points than the spread indicates
- You can lay the points with the betting favorite, or take the points by backing the underdog
Say the spread is at +4 and -4. In these instances, when the number is whole rather than a half, another potential outcome arises: a push.
If you backed the Seahawks, the 4-point favorite, denoted by -4, and they win by 4 points, the bet will result in a push. That means you won't lose or win any money while receiving a full refund on your stake (the amount you placed on the bet). The same is true if you back the Patriots at +4 and they lose by exactly 4 points.
Our Liam Fox explored another popular betting market, explaining how to bet the Super Bowl Over/Under.
🐶 Super Bowl underdog betting history
Are you wondering how betting underdogs have performed historically? You might be surprised to see how well they've done recently against the spread.
🔢 How do odds work in spread betting?
The best sports betting apps offer a variety of odds, so it's important to shop around before you commit to find the best value. With that said, let's take a look at where the Super Bowl odds currently stand and how they work for Super Bowl 60.
BetMGM has the Seahawks at -115 and the Patriots at -105.
| Team | Spread | Odds (BetMGM) |
|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | -4.5 | -115 |
| Patriots | +4.5 | -105 |
If you're backing the -115 Seahawks, you will need to place a $115 bet to return a $100 profit. Of course, the Seahawks must win by at least 5 points for that bet to cash.
For the -105 Patriots, a $105 winning bet will return a profit of $100.
You can get plus-money odds on ATS bets, but they are less frequent. Let's say the Patriots odds are +105. A winning $100 bet in that scenario would return a profit of $105.
Odds of +100 are considered even-money odds, so a winning $100 bet will return a $100 profit. It's critical to be as informed as possible before making your ATS picks, which our Super Bowl betting history will help with.
🗒️ What is the "vig" or the "juice"?
- The betting odds, betting lines, or prices are known as vig or juice
- BetMGM's odds, -115 and -105, are the vig or juice
- Vig is short for vigorish
- The vig/juice is the cut the sportsbook takes when receiving your bet
🗒️ Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Related Articles
