Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons
When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 14, 2017
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: 4:35 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Falcons -5.
O/U: 51.5
PREDICTION: Falcons 27. Seahawks 20

Oddsmakers currently have the ATLANTA listed as -5 point favorites versus the SEATTLE, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

ATLANTA — In the only previous playoff meeting between Atlanta and Seattle, Matt Ryan threw one more touchdown pass than Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and the Falcons overcame squandering a big lead to win on a late field goal by Matt Bryant.

That divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome during the 2012 season, though, probably has little meaning for Saturday’s follow-up in Atlanta.

That playoff game is the only victory in five tries for Ryan. Wilson, who was a rookie the first time, has an 8-3 postseason mark and a Super Bowl ring to his credit.

What could be of significance is the Seahawks’ controversial 28-26 victory at home in mid-October when cornerback Richard Sherman wasn’t whistled for a late pass interference call on Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.

“We felt like we had a chance to win that game. Calls didn’t go our way,” said Falcons second-year outside linebacker Vic Beasley Jr., who led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks. “Things could’ve went a different route, so we’re looking forward to this opportunity.”

Not having to go back to Seattle is certainly an advantage for the Falcons. They also went 4-0 down the stretch in winning the NFC South and received a first-round bye when the NFC West-champion Seahawks lost three of their final six games.

The Seattle defense, which ranked third in the NFL in points allowed at 18.3 per game, suffered a major blow with the loss safety Earl Thomas. The Falcons, with Ryan having his best season, led the NFL with an average of 33.8 points per game.

“All teams are a little different now and I’d say we’re a better version of ourselves then when we played them,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.

While the Seahawks’ defense misses Thomas, it did return to form in a 28-6 opening victory over the Detroit Lions last Saturday.

Wilson, who had his career high with 385 passing yards in that playoff loss to the Falcons, appears to be the healthiest he’s been this season.

Just as important, the offense found its missing ground game with Thomas Rawls rushing 27 times for 161 yards – a team playoff record.

Rawls, the replacement for the retired Marshawn Lynch, was out with a fracture in his leg when the Seahawks played the Falcons during the regular season.

“We just haven’t been able to get him enough opportunities,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “He just had a hard time getting rolling.”

The Falcons’ young defense, which has been much better against the run than the pass this season, now has something else for which to worry.

“It opens up everything for us,” Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said of the ground game. “When Thomas Rawls is doing that, they can’t help but put another safety in the box, and then that gives us one-on-one match-ups on the outside.”

Rookie safety Keanu Neal feels that he and his teammates are up to the challenge, although they were 27th in points allowed during the season at 25.4. Atlanta also lost top corner back Desmond Trufant after playing the Seahawks the first time.

“Since the bye week (in the middle of the season), the defense has really skyrocketed,” he said.

“All those guys, they don’t play like rookies, they don’t play like young guys,” Wilson said of the Falcons. “… They play fast, they play smart. They know where they’re supposed to be. … You can definitely notice that on film.”

Quinn, in his second season as Falcons coach, was the defensive coordinator during Seattle’s two trips to the Super Bowl. He has downplayed that as a storyline, though, and is thankful he’s already faced the Seahawks once.

“I’m glad that game got out of the way,” Quinn said. “… Let’s hope through the years we battle a bunch of times against them. I sense that will be the case.”

“It’s going to be a really difficult challenge and, of course, playing there is always hard,” Carroll said. “I love the job that Dan has done.”

Jones, who was second in the NFL in yards receiving despite missing two games with a toe injury, should be the healthiest he’s been in a while after the extra rest.

“Everybody could use a week,” said Jones, who had seven catches for 139 yards and a touchdown in the game at Seattle. “It’s a long season. But, yeah, it will be beneficial for me for that week, especially with the toe injury I had.”

The Seahawks, though, may have benefited from playing last week after their sluggish finish to the regular season.

“We’re expecting a fight,” said Bobby Wagner, Seattle’s standout inside linebacker. “They’re going to come in rested. They’re going to be hungry, but we’re hungry, too. We’re going to come out and give them everything we got.”

After missing the playoffs the past three seasons, Ryan gets a chance to show that he can win more than once in the postseason. Quinn said he told his quarterback to focus on that opportunity.

“It’s all about now,” the coach said. “Things that are from a while back ago, you definitely learn from it. You take those lessons and now you apply them and you are better for it.”

Ryan, who has gone 137 passes without an interception, had 19 touchdowns passes to four picks at home during the regular season. Wilson had eight TD passes and eight interceptions on the road.

Ryan needs to change his playoff narrative, though.

“I don’t worry about it too much,” Ryan said. “One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is if you spend time worrying about that you are not spending time worrying about the things that are going to make a difference on (game day).”

Wilson is a Ryan fan, although he obviously hopes to outplay him Saturday.

“I think Matt Ryan’s always been a great quarterback,” Wilson said. “I don’t think it’s just this year. He’s always been a guy to be able to win football games and make plays and do a lot of good things. I don’t think it’s anything new for Matt at all.”

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Now they’re finding out how much Thomas means to everything they try and accomplish defensively.

”Earl’s a unique player. He’s an extraordinary player, he’s proven that,” coach Pete Carroll said. ”No matter what position a guy plays, you miss that unique quality.”

Since Thomas was injured early in Seattle’s Week 13 win over Carolina, the Seahawks have become vulnerable against the pass.

In the final four games of the regular season, the opponent passer rating against the Seahawks was 105.0. In the first 12 games, it was 77.9. And while that final four-game stretch included stellar games by Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer in a pair of Seattle losses, it also included performances by Jared Goff, Case Keenum and Colin Kaepernick that didn’t lead to wins against Seattle but were probably better than most expected.

Now come the pass-happy Detroit Lions in the NFC wild-card round on Saturday.

”I wouldn’t say vulnerable, you know, they’re a heck of a defense,” Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford said. ”They do a great job. Obviously, Earl brings a mentality to them. He’s an extremely aggressive player. Trusts his eyes probably more than any safety I’ve ever seen and you know, the young guy they’ve got filling in for him doesn’t as much, but I mean they’ve got a great defense.”

Steven Terrell has been the one asked to step in for Thomas, even if there is no way to properly replace one of the best free safeties in the NFL. It’s the most Terrell has played in his brief NFL career. Before this season, Terrell had one career defensive tackle in his two seasons with the Seahawks.

”Just the experience, learning through the good, the bad, the indifferent, whatever. It’s just getting better and seeing where I’m at,” Terrell said. ”You kind of see where you’re at in the preseason but playing this year in the regular season it’s been a good opportunity.”

The experience Terrell is getting appears to be coming at a cost to Seattle’s defense.

In the first 11 games of the season, the Seahawks allowed 10 passing touchdowns. In the final five games, including the Carolina game when Thomas was injured early in the second quarter, they allowed six. Perhaps more telling is the lack of interceptions. Seattle’s last interception came on the first play of its 40-7 win over Carolina. Since Thomas was hurt, the Seahawks have zero picks.

The breakdowns have been noticeable: Ted Ginn Jr. getting deep for a 55-yard touchdown in the minutes after Thomas was injured; Davante Adams getting open for a 66-yard TD; J.J. Nelson running free through Seattle’s secondary, once for an 80-yard touchdown. They’re the kinds of big plays the Seahawks secondary simply has not allowed in the past.

Not all those plays are on Terrell. He’s made mistakes, but at the same time quarterbacks have appeared more aggressive in challenging Seattle’s secondary with Thomas not there.

If anything, the past month has highlighted how much Thomas’ presence has impacted Seattle’s defensive success.

”The thing I’ve been focused on is not trying to be Earl because I can’t be Earl. I can only be the best version of me,” Terrell said. ”That part hasn’t been too hard because I’ve been who I am and my teammates have been giving me good feedback. Just be you, be the best you that you can be and that helped out a lot. When you replace an All-Pro player it’s definitely something you don’t do every day. It’s a great opportunity though.”

The challenge for Seattle may not be so much this week, but what lies ahead should it get past the Lions. Detroit averages 37 pass attempts per game but only 7.3 yards per attempt. But a Seattle victory sets up a matchup with Atlanta and the third-best pass game in the NFL.

That’s down the road. The Seahawks have enough to worry about with Detroit.

”Earl is Earl, and now it’s Steve’s opportunity,” Seattle cornerback DeShawn Shead said. ”And Steve is a great player as well but you can’t ask Steve to be Earl. Steve is Steve and he does a great job.”

—

AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report.

—

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Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 11, 2016
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Packers -3. O/U: 45.5
PREDICTION: Packers 23, Seahawks 20

Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 3-point favorites versus the Packers, while the game’s total is sitting at 45½.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-3-1): Seattle has failed to score a touchdown in three of its road losses this season, including a 14-5 defeat at Tampa Bay in Week 12, but it rebounded with a season-high point total in a 40-7 thrashing of Carolina last week. Running back Thomas Rawls, in his third game back since missing two months with a broken leg, put a jolt in the ground game by rushing for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only 15 carries. Another second-year player, wide receiver Tyler Lockett, broke off a 75-yard scoring run last week while adding five catches on 63 yards to provide a deep threat. Safety Earl Thomas suffered a broken leg last week, but the Seahawks are permitting a league-low 16.2 yards per game.

Seattle was a 40-7 winner in its last match at home against the Panthers. They covered the -9-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 47 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Seattle Stats:
Team record: 8-3-1 SU,6-5-1 ATS
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Seattle is 2-4-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle’s last 10 games on the road

ABOUT THE PACKERS (6-6): Green Bay has one of the league’s top run defenses at 92.9 yards per game, but it is vulnerable through the air (254.3) yards and is surrendering nine more points per game than Seattle at 25.2. A sagging ground game will feature a familiar face in Christine Michael, who was claimed off waivers by the Packers after he was cut loose by the Seahawks earlier this season. Despite the lack of a rushing attack, Rodgers has raised his level of play by throwing for seven touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past three games while registering a passer rating of at least 108.9 in all three. No. 1 wideout Jordy Nelson, who missed the 2015 season with a torn ACL, hauled in his 10th touchdown reception in last week’s win over Houston.

Green Bay Stats:
Team record: 6-6 SU,5-6-1 ATS
Green Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Green Bay’s last 6 games
Green Bay is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home

EXTRA POINTS
1. Wilson has six touchdowns and one interception in three career matchups versus the Packers.
2. Nelson has 42 receptions and five TDs in his last six games.
3. Seattle has not won at Green Bay since November 1999.

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Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks
When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, December 4, 2016
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Seahawks -7. O/U: 44.5
PREDICTION: Seahawks 24, Panthers 20

Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Panthers, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

Seattle amassed 88 points during a three-game winning streak prior to last week’s dud against the Buccaneers, in which quarterback Russell Wilson threw for a season-low 151 yards and was intercepted twice — matching his season total from the first 10 games. Running back Thomas Rawls was limited to 38 yards on 12 carries in his second game back from a broken leg, although Wilson rushed for a season-high 80 yards. Star safety Earl Thomas was a full participant in practice Thursday after missing the first game of his career last week while defensive end Michael Bennett could return to the lineup for the first time since Week 7. The Seahawks are allowing a league-low 17 points per game.

Seattle was a 14-5 loser in its last match on the road against the Buccaneers. They failed to cover the -5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 19 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Seattle Stats:
Team record: 7-3-1 SU,5-5-1 ATS
Seattle is 14-5-1 SU in its last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games
Seattle is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Carolina’s last four games — and six of the past seven — have been decided by three points and it is 2-4 in those games, along with a one-point defeat at Denver in the season opener. Quarterback Cam Newton had a passer rating above 100 in half of his 16 games en route to winning league MVP honors last season, but he has reached triple digits once this year and has completed less than 60 percent of his passes in six of 10 games. Running back Jonathan Stewart finally broke out with 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns in last week’s loss after averaging 2.7 yards per carry in his previous three games. Carolina ranks second against the run (79.5 yards) but 29th versus the pass (275.2).

Last time out for Carolina, they were a 35-32 loser as they battled the Raiders on the road. The Panthers covered in the match as a +3.5-point underdog, while 67 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Carolina Stats:
Team record: 4-7 SU,3-6-2 ATS
Carolina is 2-5-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Carolina is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Carolina is 1-7-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road

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SEATTLE vs TAMPA BAY
When: 11/27/2016 4:05 PM
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Seahawks -5.5. O/U: 45
PREDICTION: Seahawks 27, Buccaneers 17

Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Buccaneers, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a tough challenge ahead as they seek their third straight win on Sunday at home against the Seattle Seahawks, and they might have to do so without two of their top three cornerbacks.

Containing quarterback Russell Wilson is plenty difficult at full strength, but the Buccaneers will be without nickel cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah, who begins a four-game suspension, and Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes missed Wednesday’s practice with a quad injury that sidelined him for much of Sunday’s win at Kansas City.

Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said his team has a high respect for Wilson, who has thrown just two interceptions all season in 335 pass attempts.

“Make no mistake: Russell Wilson makes Seattle go,” Koetter said Wednesday. “This guy, he’s an unbelievable playmaker. Almost impossible to sack him. They’ve only turned it over six times all year.

” … His accuracy with balls, running right, throwing left, running left, throwing right, incredible. If Jameis (Winston) was making some of those throws, we’d be screaming at him.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he has been watching Winston since college, and he has been impressed by the confidence he already has in his second NFL season.

“I watched him all the way through college and have always been impressed with his tenacity and his competitiveness and his confidence,” Carroll said. “He demonstrates conficence in the way he throws the football and the choices that he makes. He totally believes in himself that he can make the plays, and he does.

” … He’ll continue to grow in command and awareness and understanding of what’s going on. He’s going to be a great player.”

Winston has made major progress in limiting his turnovers — after throwing eight interceptions in the Buccaneers’ first four games and a 1-3 start, he has thrown just two in the last six games, and the Buccaneers have gone 4-2 to claw back to a .500 record.

Tampa Bay is just one game back of Atlanta for the NFC South lead with six games to play, but their remaining schedule includes not only Seattle but a road game at Dallas three weeks later. The rest, however, are against teams with losing records, with two against New Orleans, a game at San Diego and the season finale at home against struggling Carolina.

Seattle, meanwhile, is battling for home-field advantage in the playoffs, and Koetter said as he looks at the Seahawks, he sees a model of what he’d like the Buccaneers to be.

“When you watch Seattle on film, that’s who we want to be,” Koetter said. “That’s who we want to be like. They’ve been doing it for a long time and even though they’ve been to the top, they still play extremely hard.

“We pride ourselves on being a team that plays hard. It’s a great example. All our guys have to do is turn on the tape and watch. We’re playing a good team and we know it.”

The Buccaneers won at Arrowhead Stadium — where the Chiefs had won 10 straight — by limiting their mistakes and getting well-timed turnovers.

Kansas City was driving for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter at the Bucs’ 6-yard line when safety Chris Conte intercepted an Alex Smith pass — he had only three all season going in — and returning it to near midfield to set up a Buccaneers touchdown.

They’ll have to do much the same to beat Seattle, and playing at home has actually been a disadvantage for the Buccaneers, who are 4-1 on the road and 1-4 at Raymond James Stadium.

Seattle has a vulnerability against the run and will be without top safety Earl Thomas. The Seahawks are struggling with injuries at running back, getting starter Thomas Rawls back but with limited depth behind him.

“Every year brings up new obstacles,” Wilson said. “And that’s the journey that we’re on every year. … I think when you respect the process and respect the journey, great things happen.

” … This year, there’s been some significant injuries to a lot of the guys, and we’ve been able to overcome those and still find ways to win.”

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In the last few weeks, Seattle can’t get off the field on defense. And it’s not the best time to be struggling on that side of the ball about to go on the road, on a short week and face Tom Brady and New England on Sunday night.

In the past two weeks, Seattle has started to display signs that maybe the wear of its overtime tie with Arizona on Oct. 23 is starting to impact its defense. Combined with an offense that seems to be abandoning their attempt at running the ball and controlling time of possession, the Seahawks defense has been asked to be on the field for an inordinate amount of time lately.

”We’re playing a little bit more ball but at the same time I think we’re doing some good things,” Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril said.

While the players say this is not an issue and Seattle coach Pete Carroll is almost defiant that the amount of time the defense has spent on the field is a benefit, the statistics are telling a different story.

And the biggest indicator is on third downs.

”We’ve had 13 third-and-2 or less in the last two weeks. That’s really hard to win like you would like to on third down,” Carroll said. ”We have to play better ball on earlier downs and then we have to get off when we have our chances. But it has been kind of a theme here allowing these third-and-shorts and not getting out of those. That’s really the focus.”

Over the past three weeks – games against Arizona, New Orleans and Buffalo – the Seahawks have allowed 31 of 53 third downs to be converted, a conversion rate of 58.4 percent. Buffalo was 12 of 17 against Seattle on Monday night and had 30 first downs, tied for the seventh-most ever against the Seahawks in the regular season. The inability to get off the field on third down, combined with the Seahawks own struggling to run the ball and sustain drives has led to three straight teams with 36 or more minutes of possession against the Seahawks.

Arizona got it started when it dominated possession in the 6-6 overtime tie. The Cardinals held the ball for 46:21 and ran 90 offensive plays. New Orleans followed up a week later with 72 plays and 36 minutes of possession and on Monday night, Buffalo ran 82 offensive plays and held the ball for 40 minutes.

It’s a recipe for exhaustion, even if Carroll doesn’t view it that way.

”I think we’re getting stronger,” he said. ”If we’ve endured it, I think we’re in pretty good shape. If we can get a game of 60 or 70 plays, it’s going to seem like a lark. We’ll see if we can change it a little bit.”

The timing of the struggles on defense is troubling because the Seahawks appear to be morphing offensively and potentially exposing their defenders to even more time on the field. Seattle enters this week 30th in the NFL averaging just 75.4 yards per game rushing and in Monday’s win had 26 passes and just 12 runs. No matter who is in the backfield, Seattle has been unable to establish the run and keep drives moving on the ground. Seattle has one offensive drive of longer than 6 minutes in the past five games and rank 25th in the league in time of possession.

”We have a lot of improvement to make and we’re just going to keep banging away at it,” Carroll said. ”We know where we’re going, we’re just not quite getting on that track yet.”

NOTES: SS Kam Chancellor (groin) was a full participant in practice and is expected to play Sunday as long as he doesn’t have any setbacks. Chancellor has missed the past four games. … RB Thomas Rawls (leg) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday but won’t play this week. Rawls, who has been out since Week 2, is targeting next week’s game against Philadelphia for his return.

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Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, October 23, 2016
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Cardinals -2. O/U: 43.5
PREDICTION: Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 2-point favorites versus the Seahawks, while the game’s total is sitting at 43½.

Arizona featured one of the league’s top passing attacks last season, but second-year running back David Johnson has altered the team’s offensive identity by rushing for 268 yards and five touchdowns over the past two games, giving him a league-best eight scores on the ground. Johnson could be in for a heavy workload if the Cardinals have to turn to Drew Stanton, who threw for 124 yards on 11-of-28 passing in place of Palmer in a Week 5 win at San Francisco. Arizona’s defense is tied for fourth in the league (295.0 yards allowed) and tied for third in sacks (19). Arizona won its last outing, a 28-3 result against the Jets on October 17. The Cardinals covered in that game as a -7-point favorite, while the 31 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 3-3 SU,3-3 ATS
Arizona is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Arizona is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
Arizona is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games at home

Despite getting blitzed for three touchdowns in an 11-minute span by Atlanta’s top-ranked offense last week, Seattle owns the league’s No. 1 defense and is third in points (15.6) and rushing yards (74.6) allowed. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has a passer rating of at least 121.9 in three of the last four meetings with the Cardinals, guided Seattle to a 36-6 rout at Arizona in the regular-season finale in January. Tight end Jimmy Graham continues to be the top target for Wilson with six receptions in each of the last three games for a combined 302 yards. Seattle won its last outing, a 26-24 result against the Falcons on October 16. The Seahawks failed to cover in that game as a -6.5-point favorite, while the 50 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 4-1 SU,2-3 ATS
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.
Seattle is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games

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Seattle at Green Bay
When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, September 20, 2015
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Packers -3.5. O/U: 49
PREDICTION: Packers 31, Seahawks 28
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Oddsmakers currently have the Packers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Seahawks, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.

Green Bay may receive a much-needed boost to its defense as safety Morgan Burnett (strained calf) is in line to make his season debut after watching the team get shredded for 189 yards rushing by the Bears. “To be honest with you, one guy doesn’t make a difference,” Burnett told ESPN of the expectations of the defense. “It’s a collective effort, a collective group, and we make each other look good, we make each other better. Honestly, one guy doesn’t make a difference to me.” With respect to Burnett, the season-ending foot injury to linebacker Sam Barrington could be a difference-maker as his replacement, Nate Palmer, is still dealing with a left hand injury.

Last time out for Green Bay, they were a 31-23 winner as they battled the Bears on the road. The Packers covered in the match as a -6-point favorite, while 54 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 1-0 SU,1-0 ATS
Green Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Green Bay is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Green Bay’s last 23 games
Green Bay is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home

Coach Pete Carroll reiterated that he is “disappointed” in the situation that has led safety Kam Chancellor to remove himself from the team, but is prepared to go without him on Sunday. “Nothing has changed. It really has never been a negotiation. It’s been conversations. Nothing’s changed though,” Carroll told reporters. “…I’m just disappointed like I know he is and everybody is that it hasn’t found a way to get him here. That’s all.” Defensive back Dion Bailey, who made his NFL debut and started in Chancellor’s place against the Rams, gave up the game-tying touchdown to Lance Kendricks in the waning moments of regulation.

Seattle was a 34-31 loser in its last match on the road against the Rams. They failed to cover the -3.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 65 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 0-1 SU,0-1 ATS
Seattle is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Seattle is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 6 games
Seattle is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 games on the road

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New England at Seattle
When: 6:30 PM ET, Sunday, February 1, 2015
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Patriots -1. O/U: 47.5
PREDICTION: Seahawks 24, Patriots 23
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Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 1-point favorites versus the Patriots, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.

Seattle surrendered a total of 39 points in winning its final six regular-season contests, but Wilson showed poise beyond his years in the overtime victory against Green Bay, overcoming four interceptions to lead a pair of touchdown drives in the final four minutes to erase a 16-point halftime deficit. Wilson also is dangerous on the run, rushing for 849 yards and six scores to keep teams from becoming too preoccupied with Lynch, who amassed 157 yards and a score versus the Packers and has 48 rushing TDs in his four seasons with the Seahawks. Wilson’s top targets are Doug Baldwin (66 receptions) and Jermaine Kearse, who has one TD reception in each of the two postseason wins – including the overtime game-winner in the NFC title game. Seattle has key concerns in the secondary with All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman nursing an elbow injury and hard-hitting safety Earl Thomas dealing with an ailing shoulder.

The Seahawks were a 28-22 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Packers. They failed to cover the -8.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (50) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 14-4 SU,10-7-1 ATS
Current Streak: won 8 straight games.
Seattle is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Seattle is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing New England
Seattle is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing New England

New England has rolled up 80 points in its two postseason victories and prevailed in contrasting styles, erasing a pair of 14-point deficits behind 367 yards and three touchdowns from Brady to outlast Baltimore 35-31 despite a postseason record-low 14 yards rushing. Running back LeGarrette Blount, signed in November after he was cut loose by Pittsburgh, did the heavy lifting in the 45-7 drubbing of Indianapolis by rumbling for 148 yards and three touchdowns and the 250-pounder could be primed for a heavy workload against Seattle. Two-time Super Bowl MVP Brady has reliable weapons at his disposal with Julian Edelman (92 receptions) and Brandon LaFell (74 catches) complementing Gronkowski, who has 54 TD receptions in 65 career regular-season games. The Patriots’ secondary doesn’t receive the notoriety of that of Seattle, but it also features a pair of stellar cornerbacks in All-Pro Darrelle Revis and ex-Seahawk Brandon Browner.

New England won its last outing, a 45-7 result against the Colts on January 18. The Patriots covered in that game as a -7-point favorite, while the 52 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 14-4 SU,10-8 ATS
New England is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New England’s last 8 games
New England is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Seattle
New England is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seattle

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Green Bay at Seattle
When: 3:05 PM ET, Sunday, January 18, 2015
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Seahawks -7.5. O/U: 46.5
PREDICTION: Seahawks 27, Packers 20
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Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 7-point favorites versus the Packers, while the game’s total is sitting at 46½.

Although Seattle gave up two TDs in a game last week for only the second time since mid-November, it is the first team to lead the league in fewest points (15.9) and yards per game (267.1) in back-to-back seasons since the Chicago Bears in 1985-86. “Guys are doing whatever it takes to win,” Sherman said. “Guys are playing for one another, they don’t care about stats. Championships are won in the playoffs.” Russell Wilson threw for 268 yards and three scores last week to improve to 25-2 at home (playoffs included) and has the luxury of handing off to Marshawn Lynch, who gashed the Packers for 110 yards and two TDs en route to his fourth straight 1,200-yard season. The “Legion of Boom” secondary made its presence felt last week with Kam Chancellor’s 90-yard interception return for a score.

Seattle won its last outing, a 31-17 result against the Panthers on January 10. The Seahawks earned a push in that game as a -14-point favorite, while the 48 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 13-4 SU,10-6-1 ATS
Current Streak: won 7 straight games.
Seattle is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle’s last 7 games
Seattle is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

The left calf injury took away Rodgers’ mobility against Dallas, but he still threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, completing his final 10 passes and leading a pair of long touchdown drives in the comeback victory. Green Bay shied away from throwing at star cornerback Richard Sherman in Week 1 but it has ample weapons with the wideout tandem of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb – a combined for 189 catches and 25 touchdowns during the regular season – along with rookie Davante Adams, who had seven catches for 117 yards and a TD versus the Cowboys. Running back Eddie Lacy was limited in practice Thursday but has rushed for at least 97 yards in six of the last seven games, while Green Bay’s defense has held eight of the past nine opponents to 21 points or fewer.

Green Bay was a 26-21 winner in its last match at home against the Cowboys. They failed to cover the -5.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 47 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 13-4 SU,9-7-1 ATS
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.
Green Bay is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Green Bay’s last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Green Bay’s last 7 games
Green Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road

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