Super Bowl fever will reach its height sometime late next week, but there is plenty of it going around now with the big game just over a week away. Certainly a great deal of money has already been wagered on next Sunday's clash between the Seahawks and Broncos, enough to move the NFL Betting Line Odds on the championship showdown quite a bit since Seattle opened as a 1.5 favorite last Sunday night. The latest Super Bowl odds from offshore bookmaker 5Dimes are now favoring Denver at -2.5 against the spread and -130 on the money line ($130 wins $100). The Over/Under in Super Bowl XLVIII is presently set at 47.5 points.

The old adage says defense wins championships, which means the Seahawks, as well as their backers, probably feel good about their chances of taking down the Broncos next Sunday. Seattle owns the league's top ranked defense, in both points (14.4) and yards (273.6) per game allowed, and it has limited its first two playoff opponents to a total of 32 points. So what gives with the line?

Well, offense carries some weight as well and Denver happens to have the NFL's most productive scoring unit. The Broncos led the league with a 37.9 point per game average and its 457.3 yards per game average was also tops in the NFL. More importantly, though, Denver's offense is also paired with a pretty stout defensive unit.

Statistically the Broncos defense was hardly overwhelming during the regular season, giving up 24.9 points and 356 yards per contest, but it has gotten much stingier in recent weeks. Denver has allowed an average of 15 points, 15.8 first downs, and 268.5 yards per game in its last four outings and it currently ranks second in both points and yards per game allowed in these playoffs.

Seattle's offense, which is the weaker link on that team, has produced some fine efforts this season too; however, it, for whatever the reason, has digressed some down the stretch. And right now it appears to be a lesser compliment to the Seahawks defense than the Broncos defense is to Peyton Manning and the Denver offense.

Notable Trends: The Broncos are 4-0 in their last four games as a favorite with a spread between 0 and 3.5 points. Denver is also 7-0 both straight up and against the spread in its last seven games as a favorite with a total between 47.5 and 51 points.

Seahawks vs Broncos NFL Betting Line Odds:

Seattle Seahawks +2.5 (-110), Over 47.5 (-110), +110 (Moneyline)

Denver Broncos -2.5 (-110), Under 47.5 (-110), -130 (Moneyline)

Early Super Bowl Preview
Ken Thomson and host Marco D'Angelo from Pregame.com give insight and an early look at Super Bowl 48 between Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!