Both Seattle and New England have an opportunity to do something special on Super Bowl Sunday. The Seahawks can cement themselves in league history if they repeat as champs. The Patriots, already considered by many a dynasty, can win their fourth title in 14 years.
Line: Patriots -1, Total: 48 (check The Linemakers on Sporting News' live odds page for updated point spreads and totals).
AccuScore has the Seahawks as slight 52.7 percent favorites to win. The average score after 10,000-plus simulations is Seattle 26.2- New England 25.1. There is really no money-line to speak of since the point spread is so close to a pick ‘em.
AccuScore best bet: The approximate winning probability assigned to Seattle is a three-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend. This past NFL season, when predicting games with a spread of 3 points or less, AccuScore has gone 45-36 (55.6 percent, +540 units). AccuScore is 126-103 (55 percent, +1270 units) on its hot trend NFL picks.
When AccuScore's and Vegas' point spreads have differed by 2 to 2.5 points, AccuScore has gone 21-11 (65.6 percent, +890 units). At Seahawks +1 or higher, Sunday’s Super Bowl fits the criteria.
AccuScore simulated box score: Following all simulations, the New England defense finished with an average of 3.1 sacks, 0.6 interceptions, 0.9 forced fumbles and 1.5 turnovers. Seattle had 2 sacks, 0.9 INTs, 0.7 fumbles and 1.6 TOs.
Projected Leaders
Passing: Tom Brady (NWE) 295.2 yds
Rushing: Marshawn Lynch (SEA) 88.5 yds
Receiving: Julian Edelman (NWE) 74.9 yds
AccuScore NFL trends
NFL playoff Over/Under picks: 6-3-1, 67 percent (+246 profit)
NFL playoff picks against spread: 6-4, 60 percent (+146)
All picks vs. spread: 121-94, 56.3 percent (+1746 profit)
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