Super Bowl betting pits the #1 seeds in the NFL for the first time in 16 years as the New Orleans Saints face the Indianapolis Colts. The matchup in Super Bowl odds has the Colts favored by 4.5 points with a total of 56.5. Super Bowl betting has the Saints making their first-ever appearance in the big game while the Colts are making their fourth. There are no only four NFL teams never to be on the Super Bowl odds board – the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Super Bowl betting will be focused on the two quarterbacks on Sunday. Drew Brees is now 3-2 in his playoff career and has a combined rating of 100.6 in those games. He will be matched up in Super Bowl odds against Peyton Manning who is considered the best quarterback in the game. Manning is 9-8 all-time in his postseason career. Brees and Manning have faced each other three times in their careers with Manning winning two of the three games.
Super Bowl betting indicates that the Saints have the slightly better offense statistically but the Colts have the far better defense. The Saints survived on defense thanks to turnovers. And they took those turnovers and turned them into points. They tied with Green Bay for the most points in the league this season off turnovers. The Saints have 21 points off turnovers in the playoffs. They are a +6 in turnover differential in their two playoff wins.
As you consider Super Bowl betting you may not want to get too comfortable if your team gets the lead. The Saints and Colts came from behind to win a lot this year. 10 of Indianapolis’ 16 wins were come from behind wins. Nine of New Orleans 15 wins were the come from behind variety.
Super Bowl betting trends indicate that New Orleans is not an underdog very often and they have not done well in that role. The Saints are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog. On the other side in Super Bowl odds, the Colts have been favored a lot this season and they are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.
As you look at the total in Super Bowl betting, you will notice that five of the last six New Orleans playoff games have gone over. Five of the last six Indianapolis games overall have gone over.