Bettors favor Seahawks in NFC; professionals like Colts in AFC

All eyes will be focused on Aaron Rodgers and his injured calf when the Green Bay Packers take the field in Seattle today.

Rodgers’ mobility, or lack of it, figures to be a major factor in the NFC Championship Game. But the other quarterback should not be overlooked, because Russell Wilson might be the biggest factor.

The Seahawks are 25-2 at home, including playoff games, in Wilson’s three seasons. Bettors tend to notice dominant trends.

“I can see the Seahawks money coming,” MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood said. “I think it’s going to be nothing but Seahawks. I’m sure we’re going to need the Packers when it’s all said and done.”

Seattle, a 7½-point favorite and minus-330 on the money line, is attracting heavy action on parlays, straight bets and teasers from public and sharp bettors.

Rood said some support for Green Bay surfaced during the week, but backing the Packers is risky business without knowing the extent of Rodgers’ mobility against the Seahawks’ blitzing defense. He could be a sitting duck in the pocket.

“If he’s moving around, I think the Packers will give them a game,” Rood said. “It’s going to be all about whether Rodgers can move around a little bit.”

Micah Roberts, a handicapper for “The Linemakers” on SportingNews.com, recommends laying the points and expects Seattle to win comfortably. Green Bay is 1-8 against the spread in its past nine games as a road ’dog.

“Even if Rodgers was 100 percent, this type of situation typically has been a bad one for Green Bay,” Roberts said. “Now, when looking at an immobile Rodgers facing the No. 1-ranked defense, there isn’t much optimism for the Packers to hang around.”

Weather could be another story today. The total is 46½, and the forecast in Seattle calls for an 80 percent chance of rain with light winds.

It’s also expected to rain in the AFC title game. New England is a 6½-point favorite over Indianapolis, and the total is 54. Rood said sharp bettors are looking to take plus-7 with the Colts when that number pops up.

“The sharps are all over Indianapolis,” Rood said. “It’s pretty clear the public is going to be all over the Patriots.

“I think both favorites are going to win. It might not be pretty. We’re going to need one of the ’dogs to win outright to bust up the teasers and money-line parlays.”

If both favorites win, Seattle is projected to open as about a 1-point favorite over New England in the Super Bowl.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.