Super Bowl 2015: Odds, Predictions and More for Championship Game
Like a disciplined quarterback who has his eyes on the ultimate prize as he rolls through the playoffs, let’s take a minute to focus on the 2015 Super Bowl amidst the NFL postseason. After all, playoff victories lose some luster if your team drops out before the league’s championship game.
Some squads appear to be better bets than others to reach the sport’s brightest stage based on talent, matchups and home-field advantage.
With that in mind, here is a look at the latest odds for a Super Bowl appearance (courtesy of Odds Shark, as of Tuesday at 1 a.m. ET) before digging into the schedule and some predictions.
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| Baltimore Ravens | 22/1 |
| Carolina Panthers | 41/1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 64/5 |
| Denver Broncos | 132/25 |
| Green Bay Packers | 113/20 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 45/2 |
| New England Patriots | 343/100 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 53/25 |
Super Bowl 2015 Schedule
Date: Sunday, Feb. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Predicted Super Bowl Participants: Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots
You don’t have to tell me that picking the two No. 1 seeds to reach the Super Bowl is boring. Trust me, I already know.
However, there is a reason that the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are the top two seeds and are the best bets to reach the marquee game. Regardless of the opponent, both the Patriots and Seahawks will have home-field advantage on the way to the Super Bowl, which is critical with these two squads.
New England and Seattle were both 7-1 at home, with the Patriots’ only loss coming in the final game of the season after the No. 1 seed was clinched and the Seahawks’ only loss coming back in Week 6 when they were still dealing with injury issues and before they settled into a groove.
Seattle has won six in a row and nine of the last 10 games, and ESPN Stats & Info noted why it is in a solid position heading into the divisional round:
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season with the same formula they will use in this postseason—running the ball and playing lockdown defense. Seattle was first in the league in rushing yards per game and does its best work simply by keeping the opposing offense on the sidelines and the clock running with Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson.
In the playoffs, the weather often dictates a strong running game, and there is no stronger group than the Seahawks in that category.
However, the Seahawks are going to reach the Super Bowl primarily on the back of their defense. They were first in the league against the pass, third against the run, first in total defense and first in scoring defense. They are an absolute machine on that side of the ball and already shut down likely NFC Championship Game opponent Green Bay in the first game of the season.
As for the Patriots, they don’t jump off the page statistically like Seattle does, but they still have the Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski connection.
Brady was focused on the task at hand with the Baltimore Ravens on tap, via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun:
"They’re really well coached. They’ve got a lot of great players, certainly guys that have been on championship teams. So, they know how to win. That’s why it makes for a great matchup.
That’s why I’m excited about it. You wouldn’t want anything handed to you. I think we worked hard to earn where we’re at this year, but now we’ve got to earn it going forward.
"
Brady torched opposing defenses for 4,109 passing yards and 33 touchdown tosses, while Gronkowski racked up wide receiver-like numbers from the tight end spot with 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches. Gronkowski’s presence alone opens up the field for the rest of the Patriots options and creates lanes for the running game to attack since the linebackers are so worried about the tight end.
If the Patriots and Denver Broncos both win in the divisional round as the home favorites, it will set up a rematch from their Nov. 2 showdown.
New England won that in dominating fashion (43-21), just like Seattle already destroyed the Packers (36-16).
Betting on a player or group that has accomplished the task at hand in the past is never a poor strategy. Both the Seahawks and Patriots have former champions leading the way at quarterback and have earlier home victories over the toughest potential opponent standing in the way of a Super Bowl appearance.
The Seahawks will reach the title game with their stifling defense and strong running game, while the Patriots will use the steady hand of Brady to guide the way.
See you in Arizona.
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