Sam Farley says it’s Seattle’s year in this tasty Bet Builder for Sunday night

It’s finally here, the biggest game in America’s game with the Seattle Seahawks v New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. For an event as big as this, it’s only right that we have a Bet Builder to match – here’s Sam Farley on how the Seattle Seahawks can live up to their favourites tag and win a second Lombardi trophy in franchise history on Sunday…

Alternate Handicap: Seahawks -6.5
Kenneth Walker 5+ Rushing Yards in Drive 1
Rashid Shaheed rushing yards: Over 4.5
Rashid Shaheed anytime touchdown

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Alternate Handicap: Seahawks -6.5

I’m very bullish on the Seahawks winning this, so I’m taking an alternate, slightly larger, line. The Patriots are a good team but they had the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL this season, while also having some good fortune in the playoffs by facing poor Chargers and Texans teams, before facing and only narrowly beating, the Broncos who were starting a backup quarterback.

The Seahawks are an incredibly good team across the board. They rank top in defensive DVOA, a full 12 spots higher than the Patriots, while also ranking just three spots behind the Patriots in offensive DVOA. They’re also been excellent on special teams, and have consistently looked the most well balanced team in the NFL this season.

Kenneth Walker 5+ Rushing Yards in Drive 1

The Seahawks actually haven’t been the most efficient of teams on the ground this season but that hasn’t stopped them from using the rushing game to keep teams honest. Sam Darnold has been tearing teams to shreds this season but with their one-two punch at running back, they’ve always kept the ground game going strong.

There’s no Zach Charbonnet thanks to injury, which means plenty of Kenneth Walker and he’s almost certain to record five or more rushing yards in the opening Seahawks drive. He’s averaged 4.7 yards per carry this season, and we will see the Seahawks rush at least once in that opening drive, and more than likely on multiple occasions if they get a first down. He’s had 19 carries in each of the past two games, so expect volume again here, which should mean multiple carries in that first drive.

Rashid Shaheed rushing yards: Over 4.5

No Charbonnet means that the Seahawks only have George Holani behind Walker but with Rashid Shaheed’s skillset, he has a great chance of being involved and getting a carry. He’s played 11 times for the Seahawks since that trade mid-season from the New Orleans Saints, and has had one or more carries in eight of those games, including the past two.

He’s averaging a very impressive 8.0 yards per carry, meaning that should he get a carry, he will most likely cover his line here. Holani isn’t a great running back, whereas Shaheed is somebody the team will want to get the ball to. Also consider the potential for trick plays. We so often see them saved for the biggest games of the year, so don’t rule that out here. Either way, I’m expecting him to get at least one carry, and hopefully at least five yards on the ground.

Rashid Shaheed anytime touchdown

I’m going to double down on Shaheed here. There aren’t many players in the NFL with a skillset like his. He’s not one of the elite guys, but he’s somebody who has a unique athletic profile, and is somebody that coaches want to find a way to receive the ball. He makes things happen. That’s why he’s had usage as a running back, a receiver and in special teams, as a Seahawk.

He’s scored three times in 11 games since arriving in Seattle, with all three coming on special teams, where he’s scored twice returning kicks and once returning a punt. He was also very close to scoring on a deep, 51-yeard pass against the Rams in the Conference Championship game. This is a talented player, who is quick, shifty and an absolute weapon. He’s a big price to score and one that looks like real value.

Alternate Handicap: Seahawks -6.5
Kenneth Walker 5+ Rushing Yards in Drive 1
Rashid Shaheed rushing yards: Over 4.5
Rashid Shaheed anytime touchdown

A Bet Builder on these selections adds up to a 21/1 punt TAP OR CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP

*Odds and lines quoted are correct at time of publication but subject to change

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