New Orleans vs Seattle – NFLPlayoff Sportsbook

No matter what happens in the playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks have already made history. They became the first team to make the NFL betting playoffs with a sub .500-record. Knowing Pete Carroll’s history, he won’t be happy with just being first round fodder for the defending Super Bowl champions.

The New Orleans Saints haven’t looked like the world-beaters that they were last season but opening against the Seahawks should give them time to work out their kinks. Let’s look at the NFL playoff sportsbook lines and the teams to see if the Saints can cover the huge spread.

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The NFL odds makers have set the New Orleans Saints as the -10½-point favorites. A straight up bet on the underdog Seattle Seahawks will pay bettors +425 on the moneyline. The game total is set at 44 points.

NFL Playoff Sportsbook Odds

January 8, 2010

New Orleans Saints -10½ -110 -550

Seattle Seahawks +10½ -110 +425

Game Total 44

Location: Qwest Field – Seattle Washington

Game Time: 4:30pm

TV: NBC

Despite the obvious disparity in their records, the Saints 11-5 and the Seahawks 7-9, both teams own an identical record 7-9 record against the spread.

When you look at the teams ATS home and away records, the Saints are 3-5 ATS on the road, while the Seahawks are 5-3 ATS at home.

Looking at the Saints, their offensive production has gone in waves. Early in the season, they were held to 20 points or few in their first 8 games. Then they went on a roll, topping 30 points in five straight games including a 34-point output against these Seattle Seahawks. In their final three games, they’ve topped 17 points once, a 30-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

If you are looking for a reason, it has to be their 28th ranked rushing attack. The lack of punch from the running backs has allowed opponents to sit back and defend against the pass. Drew Brees still has thrown for 4620 yards and 33 touchdowns but he’s thrown a career high 22 interceptions.

To compound the lack of rushing, leading rusher Chris Ivory went down this week with a season ending injury.

The Seahawks looked good in their division clinching game against the St. Louis Rams but to be fair it was the St. Louis Rams.

Charlie Whitehurst filled in for injured starting QB Matt Hasselbeck, throwing 192 yards and a touchdown. He ran for another 30 yards. Coach Carroll is not tipping his hat as to which QB will start Saturday.

If I had to guess, I think we see Hasselbeck out on the field. He put up huge numbers against the Saints in their first meeting of the season. He threw for over 366 yards but considering they were playing catch-up, he had to throw a lot.

Considering their ATS records, the line on this game is a little inflated so I’m taking the Seahawks at the NFL playoff sportsbook. Pete Carroll will pump up his team enough to keep this game within 10 points.

NFL Pick: Seattle Seahawks +10½