Public Favors Saints vs. Seahawks
Seattle, WA (The Spread) – Even though the Seattle Seahawks are now the biggest home underdog in NFL playoff history, the majority of the public still likes the New Orleans Saints on Saturday.
View Current NFL Wildcard Playoff Odds
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, the Saints are 10.5-point favorites over the Seahawks on Saturday. The over/under total for this game is currently 44.5 points.
The Seahawks won their way into the postseason by beating the Rams in Week 17. At 7-9, they became the first losing team ever to make the playoffs but because they won their division, they’re able to host a playoff game.
But even though the point spread is so high, the public isn’t buying into a Seattle upset. According to NFL public betting information, of the 37,000-plus wagers placed on Saturday’s game, 62% of the public favors the Saints –10.5. It’s the second highest backing of a playoff team this weekend, followed by the Ravens –3 over the Chiefs at 82%.
There are a couple of things in the Hawks’ favor though this weekend. One is that Matt Hasselbeck will start under center instead of Charlie Whitehurst, who started in the win over the Rams but who has zero playoff experience. Hasselbeck also threw for over 360 yards and one touchdown in Seattle’s loss to the Saints in New Orleans earlier this year, so he has had recent success against the defending champs.
The Saints will also have a hard time running the ball without Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, who were both placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Of course, the public does back the Saints because of their running game. They back the champs because of Sean Payton and Drew Brees’ ability to put points on the board with their explosive passing game.
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