Within a single game of football, there are a number of different betting options available, and that’s before we even start getting to the prop bets about the coin toss or who will put points on the board first. I like to keep things simple when I do some NFL betting, which means sticking to the moneyline, the spread, and the point total. Let’s take a look at each of those in the NFC Championship Game to get an idea of what is and isn’t worth betting.
The Seattle Seahawks (-320) are a 7-point favorite coming into the weekend, and it’s pretty easy to understand why. This is a team that has rattled off 7 straight wins, during which time the defense has decided that it is simply not going to give up any points. The 17 that they gave up to Carolina in the Divisional Game is actually something of an anomaly when compared to what they have done in the weeks prior. I wouldn’t look at that 17 points as being a sign that the Legion of Boom is suddenly about to crack. As far as the moneyline goes, you have to give it to Seattle and that ridiculous home field advantage that they possess.
The thing with the Seahawks is that they are never going to blow and opponent out of the water. Russell Wilson is not a pocket passer who can stand back there and carve open a defense. This is an offense that adopts and almost clinical approach to attack. The Green Bay Packers can hurt you in a number of ways, whether that be with Eddie Lacy on the ground or Aaron Rodgers through the air. That said, it is Rodgers who is relied on to make things happen. He is about as hobbled as it gets at the moment, which means he is not going to be playing at a level required to beat that Seattle defense. This again makes us look at Seattle as a STRONG favorite, which is why I like the 7.5 point spread for them.
The point total has been set at 46.5 for the NFC Championship Game, which was a number that was quite easily eclipsed when these two teams met earlier in the season. Both teams are very different than they were back then. The Seahawks quickly found how tough it is to be the champion, and the Packers had a totally healthy QB behind center. You have to wonder where the Packers are going to get points from here, which is why I like the UNDER.
