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Matchup: Seattle at Denver
Time: 6:30 PM EDT (Sun)
Play: Seattle (+2.5 +100)
Line Source: Stations
Posted on: January 31, 2014 @ 5:06:41 PM EST
#101 Seattle (+2) over Denver - 5:30 PM CST Sunday - The suspect weather expected for Sunday favors the Seahawks. The 20 MPH winds and chance of snow will be advantageous for Seattle as it will force Denver to run the ball more frequently than it would like - taking the ball out of Peyton Manning's hands. Seattle's offense revolves around bruising RB Marshawn Lynch (6th in the NFL in rush yards) and they'll aim to control the ball and play "keep-away" from Denver's offense. Against Seattle, Manning will be going against a physical pass rush and the top secondary in the NFL. Seattle ranked 8th in the NFL in sacks and 1st in interceptions, so getting to the quarterback and forcing mistakes is a specialty for this Seattle defense. Not only that, Denver has only faced one top-10 defense in terms of yards per play allowed (NYG in week two). Seattle is ranked 1st in that category. Speedy linebackers and a physical secondary will cause a lot of problems for Denver's finesse-style offense. Russell Wilson hasn't been particularly sharp lately, but he's led Seattle to wins in 11 of the past 13 games with 19 TD and only 5 INT over that span. He plays mistake-free football and with two weeks to prepare, we expect a sharp performance from Wilson and this offense on Sunday. Take Seattle plus the points.
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Matchup: Seattle at Denver
Time: 6:30 PM EDT (Sun)
Play: Under (47.5 -109)
Line Source: 5Dimes
Posted on: January 24, 2014 @ 4:50:09 PM EST
Weather will be a factor here. Though it doesn't look as bad as some envisioned it would be, the extended forecast is calling for temperatures around 30 degrees with 7-10 MPH winds and a 30% chance of precipitation. Definitely not ideal for Denver's pass-first offense. Peyton Manning will be going against a physical pass rush and the top secondary in the NFL. Seattle ranked 8th in the NFL in sacks and 1st in interceptions, so getting to the quarterback and forcing mistakes is a specialty for this Seattle defense. Not only that, Denver has only faced one top-10 defense in terms of yards per play allowed (NYG back in week two). Seattle is ranked 1st in that category. Denver will try to limit mistakes and open up passing lanes by running the ball more. Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball have combined for 59 rushing attempts over the past two weeks and that allowed Denver to hold the ball for a combined +20 minutes TOP in two playoff wins - and both games finished UNDER the total. It's a recipe they'd like to repeat on Sunday. Seattle's defense gets a lot of the publicity lately because the offense hasn't been all that sharp. This unit is averaging just 272.8 YPG over the past six games. QB Russell Wilson hasn't topped 200 pass yards over that span and has just 5 TD and 3 INT. With Wilson struggling, the 'Hawks have rode the running game of Marshawn Lynch and are averaging 120.5 rush yards over the last six. They'll want to keep the ball out of Manning's hands as much as possible so expect another heavy workload for Lynch. With two weeks to prepare, expect both defenses to be sharp and use the poor weather to their advantage. This will be a grind-it-out game and we're expecting a low final score. Take the UNDER.
Player to Score the First Touchdown: Doug Baldwin +1600
For this prop, we're taking into account that Seattle's pass defense has allowed just 24 pass TD in 18 total games this season (while forcing 41 turnovers over that span). So taking any of Denver's accomplished receivers at such a low number wouldn't be all that advantageous. Seattle's Doug Baldwin has emerged as one of Russel Wilson's favorite targets as he finished with a season-high 106 receiving yards last week against San Francisco. His five receiving touchdowns are tied for first on the team and with the return of WR Harvin, Baldwin will likely see favorable matchups against an average Denver secondary. Take Baldwin at a beneficial number here at +1600.
Successful Field Goals: OVER 3.5 +120
Seattle ranked 2nd in the regular season in opponent red zone TD percentage at just 39%. Denver isn't great in that category, ranking 26th at 62% red zone TD percentage, but Seattle is no juggernaut when it comes to red zone offense, ranking 14th in the NFL at 53.2% red zone TD conversion rate. Both offenses can move the football well, but considering red zone numbers and potential weather limitations we're expecting numerous defensive stops that force field goal tries. And Denver's Matt Prater and Seattle's Steven Hauschka ranked 1 & 2, respectively, in field goal percentage this season - collectively missing just four of 70 field goal attempts.
Defensive or Special Teams Touchdown: Yes +155
Five of the last seven Super Bowls have featured a defensive or ST touchdown, including last year's memorable return by Baltimore's Jacoby Jones to lead off the 2nd half. Seattle led the NFL during the regular season with 39 takeaways, four of which were returned for touchdown. Denver turned the ball over 26 times this year - a high number for a Super Bowl team - including an NFL-high 16 lost fumbles. A special teams' touchdown is also probable considering Denver's Trindon Holliday (2 return TD this year) and Seattle's Percy Harvin (5 career KO return TD) will see numerous opportunities.