Patriots +1.5/Seahawks -3.5 teaser

2 units. Both 4:25 ET start times. 

 

 

Patriots:

The Pats seem somewhat forgotten about after the Titans loss, especially now that the Saints, Rams and Chiefs have really taken off. The Titans loss was somewhat predictable with the success Belichick’s former assistants have had in their first game against him (Patricia, McDaniels, Mangini, and now Vrabel all won). 

New England has Gronk and Michel both healthy now. When both of those guys were banged up it slowed this offense down a bit. I read somewhere that Tom Brady is finally starting to tail off – he threw for 3 TDs, 277 yards and the Pats put up 38 points on the Bears in Chicago five weeks ago (the same Bears team that Cousins threw 2 INTs against and got dominated). I don’t buy it.

The Vikings are a good team, no doubt, but they aren’t without flaws. They give up a lot of pressures from the tackle spots and Adrian Clayborn and Trey Flowers should be able to get to Cousins today. Minnesota has yet to beat a team this season that is above .500 and Cousins had at least one big turnover in every game against teams above .500. He is now 4-22 SU lifetime against teams above .500 (thank @ChristianPina for that stat). 

New England’s defense isn’t great but they make timely plays – forced 2 INTs against both Mahomes and Trubisky. Stefon Diggs had 119 yards vs the Saints and 126 vs the Bears and the Vikings still lost. Dalvin Cook had just 19 carries for 31 yards the last two weeks.

I’m expecting a lot of Sony Michel and James White today. Rex Burkhead comes back today too. The Vikings gave up 10 receptions for 60 yards to Kamara/Ingram and 73 receiving yards to Gurley. If I know these stats then Bill Belichick knows these stats and will exploit them.

There is a chance of rain in Foxborough come kickoff. If that’s the case I think that favors New England – the team that doesn’t play in a dome regularly and has the better offensive line and running game this year. New England is 8-1 ATS their last 9 December games and they get a big win today to start the last leg of the season off right. 

 

 

 

Seahawks:

Seattle is starting to peak. Their season could have easily been over after being 4-5 three weeks ago but when you throw a 50 yard touchdown pass on 4th and 3 to win the game on the road like they did last week, that can really jumpstart a team.

Seattle dominates this matchup – 9 straight wins and 6 of the last 8 by double digits.

San Fran just lost by 18 at Tampa to a team that is a mess and now they’re flying back cross-country for another road game. Nick Mullens has had one good game and it was against the Raiders. The other two games he’s had 2TDs:4 INTs. Garçon and Goodwin are both out today.

San Fran’s defense has given up a ridiculous 23 TDs to 2 INTs to quarterbacks  this season. Russell Wilson should pick this defense apart and if you’re worried about Seattle having a letdown, Richard Sherman criticized both Carroll and Wilson this week. 

Seattle in a rout.