So the Seahawks’ annual routine of getting off to a slow start is back again for another season and with it comes the hordes of talking heads (myself included) trying to figure out what’s up. Already 0-3 ATS on the season and averaging just 16 points per game, many are scratching their heads as to why they’re a double-digit favorite over the Colts on Sunday night. Is this simply the same song and dance from previous seasons or is Seattle in serious trouble?
The slow start is obviously a horrible habit that they’ve been unable to break, but with the team being so emotionally invested in the league-wide protests, perhaps more than any other team, you have to wonder if it’s having a negative impact on their focus on game day. That’s something we can’t quantify, but there’s a few big trends in their favor that we can.
First is that they’re an amazing bet in prime time. Since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback, the team is 15-4-1 ATS in regular-season games at night. Wilson really rises to the occasion when the lights shine bright as he has a 106.3 QB rating in those games, which is his highest of any time of day. Second is their record as a home favorite of 13 or more points. In that situation, they’ve gone 11-3-1 ATS since 1999, including a 4-1 ATS mark over the last two seasons.
As for their opponent, how much can we read into the Colts’ first win of the season in Week 3 over the Browns? Not much considering they only won by three points vs a rookie QB who threw three interceptions. There were some positives for Indy, though, as Jacoby Brissett proved himself to be a dual threat by rushing for two touchdowns while throwing for 259 yards and a TD.
For those thinking 13 points might be too much for the Seahawks to cover, a trend from the past five seasons supports that instinct as double-digit favorites are just 4-12-1 ATS in prime-time games over the past five seasons.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Bettors who were going with the Seattle Seahawks in this one found them listed as 11.5-point favorites on the betting line at Sportsbook. Fans betting on totals have seen that number set earlier in the week at 41 for Sunday.
A 31-12 result in favor of the Seahawks was the prediction by the OddsShark handicapping pick engine earlier this week. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Indianapolis Colts vs Seattle Seahawks Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Betting fans of the Seattle Seahawks have seen them go 1-2 and 0-3 ATS so far this season, while the Indianapolis Colts are at 1-2 and 2-1 ATS. In OVER/UNDER totals betting, the Indianapolis Colts are 2-1, while the Seattle Seahawks are 1-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Seattle vs Indianapolis injuries news.
According to the Power Rankings here at OddsShark it's the No. 8-rated Seattle Seahawks and the No. 20-rated Indianapolis Colts in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Seattle Seahawks' No. 27-ranked offense (16 PPG) against an Indianapolis Colts defense that ranks No. 31 at 30 PPG. The Seahawks passing attack has averaged 226.67 yards per game, less than the Colts give up through the air (283.67 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Indianapolis Colts own the league's No. 3-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 63 yards per game when on the road. Seattle, on the other hand, rates No. 10 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last gridiron battle, T.Y. Hilton did much of the damage, producing 153 receiving yards as Indianapolis beat the Browns 31-28 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Seattle comes off a game where it received a 4-TD performance from Russell Wilson in a losing cause against the Titans, a 33-27 final.
Next Betting Matchups
Indianapolis home to San Francisco, Sunday, October 8
Seattle at Los Angeles, Sunday, October 8