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NFL
Sunday, January 16
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What Bettors Need to Know
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Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-10, 42)
THE STORY: The Seattle Seahawks threw football bettors for a loop by outslugging the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in their Wildcard playoff game last weekend.
Marshawn Lynch's spirited 67-yard touchdown run in the closing moments of the fourth quarter sealed the fate of the Saints and opened the eyes of many who were willing to bury the Emerald City residents after they limped to the NFC West title with a 7-9 record. Next up for Pete Carroll and Co. are the NFC North champion Chicago Bears, who know just how potent Seattle can be. After all, the Seahawks went into the Windy City and posted a 23-20 victory as 6-point underdogs on October 17.
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX
LINE: Bears -10, O/U 42
This spread opened as high as -11 in favor of the Bears and has been bet down to -10 at most markets. The total has moved from its opening post of 40 points to 42, as of Saturday afternoon.
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with high temperatures reaching 19 degrees. The winds in Soldier Field are expected to be light, blowing of speeds up to 10 mph out of the northwest from corner to corner.
ABOUT THE BEARS (11-5, 9-6-1 ATS): Jay Cutler will make his postseason debut Sunday. The strong-armed quarterback completed just 17 of 39 passes against the Seahawks earlier this season, albeit for 290 yards. The Seahawks' secondary was torched for 404 yards by Drew Brees, so Cutler could be in line for solid production as well. Chicago hasn't exactly been thumping teams on offense this season. The Bears have averaging 20.9 points per game and just 188.4 passing yards per contest. Matt Forte rushed for 1,069 yards and will need to keep the Seahawks honest in order to open the field for Cutler.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-9, 8-9 ATS): Officially named the starter just two days before the team's Wildcard playoff game, Matt Hasselbeck made good on the decision by tossing four touchdown passes against the Saints. Although Hasselbeck is still nursing an injured hip, he is expected to start Sunday. The 35-year-old Hasselbeck completed 25 of 40 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown against the Bears in their Week 6 encounter. Mike Williams was his most trusted target in that game, reeling in 10 receptions for 123 yards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although Lynch was the talk of the town following his spectacular run last weekend, Seattle's rushing attack was ranked 31st in the NFL. Taken a step further, Chicago boasts the NFC's second-best rush defense, so any success Lynch has running the ball could greatly aid in the Seahawks' bid to record a second straight upset. Lynch rushed 17 times for 44 yards and a touchdown during Seattle's victory over Chicago in Week 6. Rookie left tackle Russell Okung will be matched up against veteran defensive end Julius Peppers.
RECENT HISTORY: Seattle benefited from a tenacious defense that sacked Cutler six times in the earlier meeting. Prior to this contest, the Bears had won three of four meetings against the Seahawks, including a 27-24 overtime triumph in the postseason on Jan. 14, 2007. Chicago went on to the Super Bowl that year, losing to the Indianapolis Colts.
KEY INJURIES: Seattle — OT Chester Pitts (head), OT Russell Okung (ankle), CB Kelly Jennings (leg); Chicago — LB Nick Roach (shoulder); CB Major Wright (leg); WR Earl Bennett (ankle).
LAST WORD: Cutler isn't the only high-profile member of the Bears making his postseason debut. Forte and, to a lesser degree, wideouts Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett will also test their mettle in the playoffs for the first time.
TRENDS:
- Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
- Seahawks are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games as road underdogs.
- Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last five playoff games.
- Over is 4-0 in Seahawks’ last four playoff games.
- Over is 4-1 in Bears’ last five playoff games.
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-9.5, 44)
THE STORY: Not since they went 16-0 in the 2007 regular season have the New England Patriots looked so dominant. Of course, the New York Jets would like to follow the cross-town Giants' lead in ending such a streak of seeming invincibility.
Since a 34-14 loss at Cleveland in Week 9, the Patriots have won eight consecutive games by an average margin of 21.75 points, a stretch that includes wins over playoff teams Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago, Green Bay and the Jets.
TV: Sunday, 4:30 p.m. EST, CBS
LINE: New England -9.5, O/U 44
This spread opened as high as 10 at most markets and has been bet down as low as 8.5. The total opened at 45 points and has dropped to 44 points as of Saturday afternoon.
WEATHER: The high is expected to be in the low-30s at kickoff and dip below freezing after sunset, but with only a 20 percent chance of precipitation and light winds in the forecast, it could be considered a relatively mild outlook for a playoff game in Foxborough.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (14-2, 10-5-1 ATS): New England has been nearly flawless during its eight-game winning streak, committing only one turnover while forcing 24. Quarterback Tom Brady has been as good as ever all season, but especially during the winning streak, throwing for 3,900 yards with 36 touchdown passes and only four interceptions – none since Week 6 against Baltimore. Brady's 335 consecutive pass attempts without an interception are an NFL record.
New England's defense has also improved as the season progressed. After allowing 20 or more points in nine of the first 11 games, the Patriots held four of their last five opponents to seven points or fewer.
ABOUT THE JETS (12-5, 10-7 ATS): New York stumbled down the stretch but began rounding into form in the regular season finale against Buffalo, racking up 276 rushing yards in a 38-7 victory. That success running the ball carried over into last week's 17-16 win at Indianapolis, in which New York rushed for 169 yards, getting 82 yards and two touchdowns from LaDainian Tomlinson and 70 yards from Shonn Greene.
The Jets have played well away from home under second-year coach Rex Ryan, including the playoffs. They're 14-6 on the road during Ryan's tenure, including a 7-2 mark this season (5-3 ATS).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: For the Patriots, it's all about Brady, who has won 28 consecutive regular-season starts at home and is 8-1 at Gillette Stadium in the postseason, including a 2006 Wildcard victory against the Jets. Brady has thrown a touchdown pass in 16 consecutive playoff games dating to 2002, and if he plays the way he did in the second half of the season, the Patriots are nearly unbeatable.
If New England has a weakness, it's defending the pass, which puts the pressure on Mark Sanchez. The Jets' second-year quarterback endured an up-and-down season, struggling down the stretch as the Jets lost three of their last five, beginning with the blowout loss at New England. He leaned heavily on the running game last week against the Colts but completed all three of his passes in the final drive to set up Nick Folk's game-winning field goal.
RECENT HISTORY: The 51-year-old rivalry has been dead even over the years – including two New England wins in the playoffs, the series is tied 51-51-1 – and it has been as heated as ever since the outspoken Ryan took over the Jets last season. But the Patriots' play did the talking in the most recent meeting, a 45-3 blowout in Week 13 that avenged New York's 28-14 home victory in Week 2.
KEY INJURIES: New York – WR Brad Smith (groin). New England – TE Aaron Hernandez (hip), G Daniel Connolly (concussion), LB Tully Banta-Cain (groin), DT Myron Pryor (eye).
LAST WORD: Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No. 1 seeds in the AFC are 12-8 in the divisional round. This season marks the third time since 2003 the Patriots have been the AFC's top seed – they advanced to the Super Bowl on both previous occasions, beating Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII and losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Considering New England was 8-0 at home this season, the Patriots seem like a strong favorite to reach the Super Bowl for the fifth time since 2001.
TRENDS:
- Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings in New England.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
- Jets are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings.
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Sunday, January 16
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What Bettors Need to Know
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Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-10, 42)
THE STORY: The Seattle Seahawks threw football bettors for a loop by outslugging the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in their Wildcard playoff game last weekend.
Marshawn Lynch's spirited 67-yard touchdown run in the closing moments of the fourth quarter sealed the fate of the Saints and opened the eyes of many who were willing to bury the Emerald City residents after they limped to the NFC West title with a 7-9 record. Next up for Pete Carroll and Co. are the NFC North champion Chicago Bears, who know just how potent Seattle can be. After all, the Seahawks went into the Windy City and posted a 23-20 victory as 6-point underdogs on October 17.
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX
LINE: Bears -10, O/U 42
This spread opened as high as -11 in favor of the Bears and has been bet down to -10 at most markets. The total has moved from its opening post of 40 points to 42, as of Saturday afternoon.
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with high temperatures reaching 19 degrees. The winds in Soldier Field are expected to be light, blowing of speeds up to 10 mph out of the northwest from corner to corner.
ABOUT THE BEARS (11-5, 9-6-1 ATS): Jay Cutler will make his postseason debut Sunday. The strong-armed quarterback completed just 17 of 39 passes against the Seahawks earlier this season, albeit for 290 yards. The Seahawks' secondary was torched for 404 yards by Drew Brees, so Cutler could be in line for solid production as well. Chicago hasn't exactly been thumping teams on offense this season. The Bears have averaging 20.9 points per game and just 188.4 passing yards per contest. Matt Forte rushed for 1,069 yards and will need to keep the Seahawks honest in order to open the field for Cutler.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-9, 8-9 ATS): Officially named the starter just two days before the team's Wildcard playoff game, Matt Hasselbeck made good on the decision by tossing four touchdown passes against the Saints. Although Hasselbeck is still nursing an injured hip, he is expected to start Sunday. The 35-year-old Hasselbeck completed 25 of 40 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown against the Bears in their Week 6 encounter. Mike Williams was his most trusted target in that game, reeling in 10 receptions for 123 yards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although Lynch was the talk of the town following his spectacular run last weekend, Seattle's rushing attack was ranked 31st in the NFL. Taken a step further, Chicago boasts the NFC's second-best rush defense, so any success Lynch has running the ball could greatly aid in the Seahawks' bid to record a second straight upset. Lynch rushed 17 times for 44 yards and a touchdown during Seattle's victory over Chicago in Week 6. Rookie left tackle Russell Okung will be matched up against veteran defensive end Julius Peppers.
RECENT HISTORY: Seattle benefited from a tenacious defense that sacked Cutler six times in the earlier meeting. Prior to this contest, the Bears had won three of four meetings against the Seahawks, including a 27-24 overtime triumph in the postseason on Jan. 14, 2007. Chicago went on to the Super Bowl that year, losing to the Indianapolis Colts.
KEY INJURIES: Seattle — OT Chester Pitts (head), OT Russell Okung (ankle), CB Kelly Jennings (leg); Chicago — LB Nick Roach (shoulder); CB Major Wright (leg); WR Earl Bennett (ankle).
LAST WORD: Cutler isn't the only high-profile member of the Bears making his postseason debut. Forte and, to a lesser degree, wideouts Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett will also test their mettle in the playoffs for the first time.
TRENDS:
- Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
- Seahawks are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games as road underdogs.
- Bears are 1-4 ATS in their last five playoff games.
- Over is 4-0 in Seahawks’ last four playoff games.
- Over is 4-1 in Bears’ last five playoff games.
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-9.5, 44)
THE STORY: Not since they went 16-0 in the 2007 regular season have the New England Patriots looked so dominant. Of course, the New York Jets would like to follow the cross-town Giants' lead in ending such a streak of seeming invincibility.
Since a 34-14 loss at Cleveland in Week 9, the Patriots have won eight consecutive games by an average margin of 21.75 points, a stretch that includes wins over playoff teams Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago, Green Bay and the Jets.
TV: Sunday, 4:30 p.m. EST, CBS
LINE: New England -9.5, O/U 44
This spread opened as high as 10 at most markets and has been bet down as low as 8.5. The total opened at 45 points and has dropped to 44 points as of Saturday afternoon.
WEATHER: The high is expected to be in the low-30s at kickoff and dip below freezing after sunset, but with only a 20 percent chance of precipitation and light winds in the forecast, it could be considered a relatively mild outlook for a playoff game in Foxborough.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (14-2, 10-5-1 ATS): New England has been nearly flawless during its eight-game winning streak, committing only one turnover while forcing 24. Quarterback Tom Brady has been as good as ever all season, but especially during the winning streak, throwing for 3,900 yards with 36 touchdown passes and only four interceptions – none since Week 6 against Baltimore. Brady's 335 consecutive pass attempts without an interception are an NFL record.
New England's defense has also improved as the season progressed. After allowing 20 or more points in nine of the first 11 games, the Patriots held four of their last five opponents to seven points or fewer.
ABOUT THE JETS (12-5, 10-7 ATS): New York stumbled down the stretch but began rounding into form in the regular season finale against Buffalo, racking up 276 rushing yards in a 38-7 victory. That success running the ball carried over into last week's 17-16 win at Indianapolis, in which New York rushed for 169 yards, getting 82 yards and two touchdowns from LaDainian Tomlinson and 70 yards from Shonn Greene.
The Jets have played well away from home under second-year coach Rex Ryan, including the playoffs. They're 14-6 on the road during Ryan's tenure, including a 7-2 mark this season (5-3 ATS).
PLAYERS TO WATCH: For the Patriots, it's all about Brady, who has won 28 consecutive regular-season starts at home and is 8-1 at Gillette Stadium in the postseason, including a 2006 Wildcard victory against the Jets. Brady has thrown a touchdown pass in 16 consecutive playoff games dating to 2002, and if he plays the way he did in the second half of the season, the Patriots are nearly unbeatable.
If New England has a weakness, it's defending the pass, which puts the pressure on Mark Sanchez. The Jets' second-year quarterback endured an up-and-down season, struggling down the stretch as the Jets lost three of their last five, beginning with the blowout loss at New England. He leaned heavily on the running game last week against the Colts but completed all three of his passes in the final drive to set up Nick Folk's game-winning field goal.
RECENT HISTORY: The 51-year-old rivalry has been dead even over the years – including two New England wins in the playoffs, the series is tied 51-51-1 – and it has been as heated as ever since the outspoken Ryan took over the Jets last season. But the Patriots' play did the talking in the most recent meeting, a 45-3 blowout in Week 13 that avenged New York's 28-14 home victory in Week 2.
KEY INJURIES: New York – WR Brad Smith (groin). New England – TE Aaron Hernandez (hip), G Daniel Connolly (concussion), LB Tully Banta-Cain (groin), DT Myron Pryor (eye).
LAST WORD: Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No. 1 seeds in the AFC are 12-8 in the divisional round. This season marks the third time since 2003 the Patriots have been the AFC's top seed – they advanced to the Super Bowl on both previous occasions, beating Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII and losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Considering New England was 8-0 at home this season, the Patriots seem like a strong favorite to reach the Super Bowl for the fifth time since 2001.
TRENDS:
- Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings in New England.
- Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings.
- Jets are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings.
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