Seattle Seahawks @ New England Patriots - September 15, 2024

As I take a moment to gear up for what promises to be an exciting matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, it’s hard not to feel the palpable anticipation that fills the air. Based on both teams’ performances so far this season, this game presents a compelling narrative—especially considering how both squads have fared against the spread and against each other in recent matchups.

Starting with the Seahawks, they come into this week riding a victory over the Broncos. Despite failing to cover the spread, they demonstrated a penchant for scoring, averaging 26 points per game. Their balanced attack, featuring nearly 171 passing yards alongside an impressive 146 rushing yards, allows them to keep defenses guessing. The Seahawks consistently find ways to exploit defenses—and their 72% completion percentage speaks volumes about their efficiency in the passing game.

Meanwhile, the Patriots are attempting to find their footing after edging past the Bengals. Their offense has struggled to meet expectations, averaging only 16 points per game. While they also boast impressive rushing stats, averaging 170 yards on the ground, it’s hard to ignore their lack of firepower in the passing department, being limited to just 121 yards per game. The Patriots have often relied on their ground game, but facing a Seahawks team that has historically been strong against the run could pose some challenges.

Oddsmakers have opened with Seattle as 3-point favorites, and the total for the game has been set at 41. Given the tough defensive front Seattle possesses, I believe we’re in for a tightly contested battle that may skew towards the under, especially considering the Patriots’ struggles in scoring. The UNDER has been a consistent trend in recent Seahawks games, with four of their last six underscoring a tendency to keep scoring at bay.

While the Seahawks have been historically inconsistent against the spread—owning an ATS record of 1-3-1 in their last five—it’s worth noting that they are riding a four-game win streak heading into this matchup, which will undoubtedly boost their confidence on the road. Conversely, the Patriots have struggled mightily against the spread as well, going 6-15-1 across their last 22 games. With those trends in mind, it seems fair to assume that this may be a learning moment for New England, rather than a turning point.

In terms of predictions, I foresee the Seahawks coming away with the win, covering the spread. Their offensive capability, coupled with the struggles of the Patriots to score effectively, lends itself to the odds favoring Seattle. Given the underwhelming output from New England, I also expect the total to finish under, keeping the game fairly low-scoring.

Fans at Gillette Stadium are in for a treat, as this matchup will likely showcase a clash of styles. However, I firmly believe Seattle will prove too much for the Patriots on this day.