8* Saturday NFL SEA/ATL

Seattle vs. Atlanta, 01/13/2013 13:00 EDT, Score: 28 - 30

Point Spread: +3/-130 Seattle

Sportsbook: Bovada

Result: Win

Seahawks +3

The Atlanta Falcons host the Seattle Seahawks in Divisional Round playoff action on Sunday.

Everyone outside of Atlanta has been waiting for this game, as no one gives the Falcons any credit in the playoffs and is happy to fade them. Unfortunately, they drew a red hot Seattle team which bettors are equally eager to step up to the window for, so we’re not getting as many points as we’d like. Nevertheless, the Seahawks match up well with the Falcons.

Seattle runs the ball as anyone with Marshawn Lynch, allowing them to exploit an Atlanta rush defense that allowed 4.5 yards per carry during the regular year. Also, Cam Newton gashed the Falcons for 502 passing yards, 202 rushing yards, and six total touchdowns in two meetings with them this year, so you can be sure Pete Carroll is watching tapes of those games, and will try to use Russell Wilson in similar ways.

Atlanta is happy to host this game, particularly against a Seattle team known for playing well at home, but the Seahawks have won three consecutive road contests. The Falcons have no ground game to speak of, so they’ll rely heavily on their passing attack.

Unfortunately for Julio Jones and Roddy White, they’ll be lining up opposite of Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, who along with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor for the top defensive backfield in football.

As mentioned in the outset, it would be nice to be getting a few more points here, but backing Seattle in a spot where they should win outright is fine with us. The Seahawks have won their last six games by an average of 23.8 points. Take Seattle.

8* Play on Seattle Seahawks +3