Super Bowl Odds 2015: Initial Vegas Lines Following Week 17

Even with less than stellar performances in Week 17, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks top the league with 5/2 odds to win the Super Bowl, per Vegas Insider.

The Patriots didn't extend its starters in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills and lost 17-9. They had the top record in the AFC wrapped up, thus head coach Bill Belichick could afford to rest the likes of Tom Brady for a good portion of the second half.

Dan Hope of Bleacher Report seems to think the Pats' lack of motivation was the culprit in Sunday's loss.

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll didn't rest his guys and it was a good thing. The St. Louis Rams simply give the Seahawks fits and Sunday's game was no exception.

After trailing 6-0 for much of the game, the Seahawks offense finally awoke from its slumber to produce 13 straight points to take the lead. Seattle went on to win 20-6.

While both teams might have wanted to finish up the regular season a little stronger, each proved to be the team to beat from their respective conferences. Here's a look at the other postseason teams' odds to win the Super Bowl.

Team	Odds
New England Patriots	5/2
Seattle Seahawks	5/2
Green Bay Packers	5/1
Denver Broncos	6/1
Dallas Cowboys	10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers	18/1
Indianapolis Colts	25/1
Detroit Lions	30/1
Arizona Cardinals	50/1
Cincinnati Bengals	60/1
Baltimore Ravens	75/1
Carolina Panthers	100/1

The Teams to Beat

Patriots

Aside from the Week 17 loss, no team has looked better than the Patriots over the previous 11 weeks of the season. 

They were 10-1 in that span with the only loss coming on the road against the Green Bay Packers. The Pack have been so good at home, New England's 26-21 defeat was nothing to feel down about.

It only further proved the team's elite status. No other visiting team managed to stay that close to Green Bay at home. New England won its next three and despite the loss on Sunday, it will head into the postseason with a good amount of confidence.

Seahawks

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

There's no question, the Seahawks defense is playing the way it did in 2013 again. In the last six games, it has allowed just one opponent to reach double-figure points.

That's truly amazing when you consider the way the game is played these days. Seattle's run game coupled with Russell Wilson's poise and ball protection make the champions a handful for any team.

The fact that the road to the Super Bowl will run through CenturyLink Stadium only makes Seattle all the more deserving of their status as NFC favorites.

The Sleeper

Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

After narrowly missing out on the top seed in the NFC, the Cowboys hit the postseason red hot. Dallas has won four straight—most impressively, the team was a perfect 8-0 on the road.

Because the road to the Super Bowl will feature at least one game away from Cowboys Stadium, the success away from home is important. Dallas has already won in Seattle this season, so Tony Romo and Co. have to feel good about their chances winning anywhere.

With arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, Dallas will be a dangerous team in the postseason.