Seahawks’ Super Bowl Odds After Trading for Jamal Adams – Are They Worth Betting?
- The Seattle Seahawks acquired All-Pro safety Jamal Adams from the New York Jets on Saturday
- Are the Seahawks a solid value bet to win the 2021 Super Bowl at +2100?
- Analysis of how the move impacts the NFL race follows in the story below
The New York Jets suggested that it would require a spectacular offer to pry Jamal Adams off of their roster. The Seattle Seahawks certainly delivered that payload.
The Seahawks surrendered safety Bradley McDougald, a 2021 first-round pick, a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 first-round pick in exchange for two-time All-Pro safety Adams and a 2022 fourth-round choice.
Thus far, the move hasn’t moved the needle on Seattle’s Super Bowl odds. FanuDuel lists the Seahawks with a betting line of +2100 to be NFL champions this season. They were at average odds of +2000 prior to the deal being consummated.
2021 NFL Super Bowl Odds
| Team | Odds at FanDuel |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +650 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +700 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +900 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1500 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1700 |
| New England Patriots | +1700 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +1900 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +2100 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +2400 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2400 |
Odds taken July 25th
Should you jump on that price as a value bet on Seattle to win the Super Bowl?
Legion Of Boom Revisited
When Seattle won its only Super Bowl title in 2013, the Seahawks did so by following the power running game of Marshawn Lynch, the quarterbacking of Russell Wilson and a dominant defense led by a punishing secondary known as the Legion of Boom.
The addition of Adams is another piece in puzzling together a secondary that can again dominate receivers. Last year, the Seahawks upgraded significantly at safety by acquiring Quandre Diggs from the Detroit Lions.
Like 2019 Pro Bowl choice Diggs, Adams is a playmaker. Both players recorded pick sixes last season. As a tandem, they put the Seahawks right there among the NFL’s top safety duos.
Jets said they would not trade Jamal Adams unless they received a significant offer.
They did. https://t.co/9UHNW838Ch
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2020
Adams is a two-time Pro Bowler who went sixth overall in his draft year. He recorded 75 tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception and 6.5 sacks. The latter total led all NFL defensive backs.
Adams instantly beefs up what was a bend but don’t break pass defense last season. The Seahawks were 27th overall in this department, allowing 4,223 total pass yards, and 263.9 yards per game. However, Seattle permitted just 19 touchdown passes and posted 16 interceptions.
Seahawks Step Up
A year ago, Seattle was one win away from capturing the NFC West Division title. A loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale left Seattle 11-5 and gave the title to the 13-3 Niners. The Seahawks had beaten San Fran earlier in the season.
According to analytics compiled by CBS SportsLine’s Stephen Oh, Adams can be a difference maker here as well. He adds 0.2 wins to Seattle’s projected total, improving it from 9.2 to 9.4.
The #Jets have traded Jamal Adams, to the #Seahawks in exchange for S Bradley McDougald, a 1st-round pick in 2021, 3rd-round pick in 2021, and a 1st-round pick in 2022, per @AdamSchefter.
Adams is the 2nd highest graded safety in football over the last 2 seasons (91.0) pic.twitter.com/qb9R92mUb5
— PFF (@PFF) July 25, 2020
Adams also adds 5.1 percentage points to their chances of making the playoffs. Seattle moves from 63.4% to 68.5%.
The Seahawks were an NFC Wildcard team last season. They’ve qualified for postseason play in seven of the past eight seasons. Seattle hasn’t endured a losing season since 2011.
There’s Value Here
Based on past history, the NFC race is wide open. No losing NFC team in a Super Bowl has returned to the big game the following season since the 1971 Dallas Cowboys. So count out the 49ers.
Everyone’s been waiting for the New Orleans Saints to take that next step but the Saints keep stumbling. After that, are any of the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles or Tampa Bay Buccaneers a better option than the Seahawks?
Let’s get it!!! @Prez
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 25, 2020
Wilson leads the NFL’s #9 offense. Adams just beefed up the Seattle defense.
At their current price, the Seahawks definitely provide value worth grabbing.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks (+2100).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
