Super Bowl Odds 2015: Opening Las Vegas Betting Lines for Seahawks vs. Patriots

The Seattle Seahawks will get a chance to defend their Super Bowl championship against the New England Patriots, but Las Vegas' early lines indicate it won't be an easy task.

Russell Wilson and the Seahawks had to scratch and claw their way to the NFC title against the Packers, while their upcoming opponent drubbed the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game. But despite that, the Seahawks still maintain a slight edge in the odds to start out. 

The Seahawks made fools of oddsmakers this time last year, throttling the Denver Broncos 43-8 when a close game was all but expected. In order to do so again, they'll have to go through a surging Patriots team.

Let's take a look at the early odds for Super Bowl XLIX.

Spread	Over/Under	Moneyline
Seahawks -1	48.5	NE 51-50, SEA 25-28

Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated January 19

Super Bowl XLIX Preview

Surprisingly enough, Super Bowl showdowns between the top seeds in each conference have been a rarity in the NFL over recent seasons. Consider this the bucking of that trend.

Last year, the Broncos and Seahawks broke a more-than-eight-year streak of at least one No. 2 seed or lower in the Super Bowl. In 2014, the Patriots decided they wanted to make it 2-of-2, while the Seahawks eventually obliged.

It took quite the stroke of magic for Seattle to have a chance to defend its title, however.

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That's because the Packers jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the NFC Championship Game and had the game all but won with five minutes to go and a 19-7 advantage. But the Seahawks never gave up, and along with a late onside kick and an overtime game-winner, Seattle moved on with a 28-22 overtime win in the most emotional of fashions.

As if the dramatics weren't enough of a sending off for Seattle to Glendale, Arizona, we also have our first official injury talking point. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman played with an injured arm late against the Packers, but reiterated to his Twitter followers that he'd be OK for the Super Bowl:

The Patriots can relate to the type of scare Seattle saw Sunday, having come from behind to beat the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. But there was no doubt of their superiority in the AFC title game, absolutely dominating the Colts to a 45-7 decision.

It's just another trip to the Super Bowl for the likes of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, but it's unchartered territory for new cornerback Darrelle Revis. He elaborated on what it meant after Sunday's game.

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“To play in these big-time games and to play for the obvious reason—to play in the next game, the Super Bowl," Revis told ESPNBoston.com's Lee Schechter. "Collectively as a team we’ve done that. Everybody stuck to our team goals and what we want to accomplish."

His fellow cornerback can enjoy the Super Bowl trip for a different reason. Brandon Browner is going up against his former team in the big game, something he envisioned long ago, per Matt Pentz of The Seattle Times:

But unlike the Broncos team that Browner's former squad dominated in the Super Bowl a year ago, their opponent this season should prove a much tougher out.

Unlike Denver a year ago, the Patriots can offer a serious threat to run the ball downhill against the Seahawks. Physical rushers like LeGarrette Blount is the type against whom Seattle has struggled, and success there could open things up for Brady through the air.

With that said, the Patriots defense also figures to have its hands full with Wilson and Marshawn Lynch's rushing attack that ranks atop the NFL.

When it comes down to it, there's enough firepower on both sides to all but guarantee a close game. While last year's spectacle was watered down by a dominant Seattle Seahawks performance, don't expect a repeat this time around.