Vegas Play of the Day: Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 | 12:35 p.m.

Eight straight cashes in the South Point-lined Play of the Day has me one win away from eclipsing our starting $10,000 bankroll for the first time since October.

I hope committing the cardinal sin of referencing the streak didn’t just jinx it. I hope football is as kind to me as it’s been over the last month.

Carolina Panthers plus-12.5 at Seattle Seahawks: $330 to win $300

During their five game win streak, the Panthers have a point differential of plus-79. In the same span, the Seahawks have also outscored their opponents by 79 points.

That’s not an all-encompassing measure. In fact, its worth is probably microscopic. But here’s what it illustrates in some fashion: These teams aren’t in completely separate classes. Not recently.

The Panthers are the hottest team in the NFL. And what ever happened to wanting to back the team playing their best at the right time in the playoffs?

I never totally prescribed to that theory, but it’s others abandoning it that’s created value on the underdog. Seattle gave this many points in exactly one other game this season — a week 9 matchup against Oakland where it was a 13.5-point favorite.

The Panthers are far better than the Raiders, which still managed to cover in a 30-24 defeat. Carolina’s defense has emerged during its win streak, giving up less than four yards per play.

There aren’t going to be many points scored in this game, which is why it’s a wise investment to take what’s offered. The Panthers have played the Seahawks in three straight seasons, losing every game by less than a touchdown.

They’re going to break through in one of the contests. Why not today?

Standings: Bern (61-52-1, $11,526), Keefer (59-60-2, $9,827), Brewer (55-60-3, $5,855)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.