At most Nevada sports books, the Patriots are now in their customary Super Bowl position on the brightly lit oddsboard.
The Patriots, who opened as underdogs of as many as 2.5 points to Seattle on Sunday night, are now one-point favorites at multiple major casinos around the state. The MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment books on the Las Vegas Strip are among those currently listing New England as a favorite.
However, not all books have made New England a favorite just yet. Oddsmaker William Hill U.S. still lists the game as a pick ‘em.
The early line movement in Super Bowl XLIX is reminiscent of last season’s big game. Like this year, Seattle opened a favorite, but the money came in on Denver, which eventually closed a 2.5-point favorite.
The Seahawks haven’t been an underdog since November 27, when they faced the 49ers (-1.5) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Seattle rolled to a 19-3 victory, its second straight win in what has become an eight-game winning streak.
For the record, most of the Super Bowl XLIX line movement occurred before the “Deflategate” allegations came to light late Sunday night in Nevada. Numerous books put up the Super Bowl line when the Patriots were well on their way to victory over Indianapolis in the AFC title game on Sunday evening.
The Patriots have closed as favorites in their last four Super Bowl appearances. They have not been underdogs in a Super Bowl since stunning the Rams (-14) in 2002.
