Why are the Lynch-less Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl favourites?
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After consecutive Super Bowl appearances in 2013, which they won, and 2014, which they didn’t, the Seattle Seahawks fell in the divisional playoffs last season.
Add their loss to eventual Big Game losers the Carolina Panthers to the retirement of pivotal running back Marshawn Lynch and it’s perhaps curious to see Pete Carroll’s men at the head of our market to win Super Bowl LI.
Nevertheless at the top of the market they sit, priced at 7/1 marginally ahead of the New England Patriots at 8s.
Lynch’s role in reaching both Super Bowls in the last three years was huge and without him, the Seahawks offence will be a completely different beast this year.
Russell Wilson, the quarterback, will finally get a chance to take centre stage despite being one of the best players in the NFL in his own right in the last few seasons.
Expect his partnership with Doug Baldwin to flourish once again. The wide receiver had 14 touchdown catches last season, which tied for the most in the NFL.
But while the offensive aspect of their game may be in flux, their defensive superstars remain.
It is, as the saying goes, defence that wins championships and the likes of Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett will be key for the Seahawks again as they bid to be the NFL’s best unit for a fifth straight year.
Early momentum will be vital too and with Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets all to play in the first month, the prospect of a 4-0 start looks particularly good.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
