Super Bowl Over/Under 2018: Point Spread, Predictions for Eagles vs. Patriots

Super Bowl Sunday is finally here, which means you have just a few more hours to lock in all your bets for the big game. 

Tom Brady, who won his third MVP award on Saturday night, will lead his New England Patriots against the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Patriots will be seeking their sixth Super Bowl title, the Eagles are hoping to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history. 

Here's a look at the schedule and betting info the game:

Super Bowl 2018 Schedule, Odds

Date: Sunday, Feb. 4

When: 6:30 p.m. ET

Where: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Television: NBC

Odds: Patriots -4.5, Over/Under 48.5

Over/Under Prediction: Over 48.5

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

In recent years, the Super Bowl has tended to be a high-scoring affair and this year's matchup has the potential to keep that trend alive. Over the past 10 Super Bowls, the final score has gone over this year's over/under of 48.5 six times, and two of the other games just barely snuck under with exactly 48 points. 

If you're picking the Eagles to win, you might consider taking the under since their defense is the strength of the team. If you're taking the Patriots, however, you should also take the over. 

Including their run through the AFC playoff bracket, the Patriots have faced five teams ranked in the top 12 in scoring offense this season. In each of those games the Patriots allowed at least 20 points, and four of the five games resulted in at least 50 combined points going up on the scoreboard. 

The Eagles boast the NFL's third highest-scoring offense.

One of the reasons the Patriots tend to allow points in these matchups, despite often winning the game, is due to the fact that their defense seems to need some time to adjust.

In the first half of those five games, the Patriots allowed at least 13 points in each game and were trailing at halftime three times. In the second half, however, the Patriots held their high-scoring opponents to seven points or less in three of the five games. 

So even if you're anticipating a Patriots victory, it's reasonable to expect the Eagles to put some points on the board early, before the Patriots storm back in the second half. If this scenario plays out, the game is likely to hit the over. 

Against the Spread Prediction: Patriots -4.5

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

The Patriots ability to make halftime adjustments doesn't just make them a great team, it also makes them a great team to bet on in close games. 

According to Pro Football Reference, the Patriots were favored by seven points or less in seven games this season, and covered the spread every time. And dating back to the start of the 2016 season, they're 13-1 against the spread when favored by a touchdown or less. 

It's reasonable to expect the Eagles to keep the game close early on, but no one makes second-half adjustments quite like Bill Belichick and his staff. 

Including the postseason, the Patriots played nine games this year against playoff teams and outscored those teams 119 to 81 in the second half—an impressive margin, which would have been far worse if not for getting blown out 28-10 in the second half of the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

With this impressive track record, it's hard to pick against the Patriots. Unless the Eagles open up a substantial early lead, the Patriots second-half adjustments should allow them to pull out the victory and cover the spread. 

Prediction: Patriots 30, Eagles 20