Elaine Thompson / AP
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls, left, pushes off San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Seattle.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 | 2 a.m.
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We’re entering the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.
Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015. Bern stepped away in the middle of the 2016-2017 season with a 16-12 record and $13,317 bankroll, with Mike Grimala taking his place.
Seattle Seahawks plus-5 at Atlanta Falcons: $330 to win $300
If you’ve ever read Talking Points, you know I’m a stickler for evaluating teams on as large of a sample size as possible. I’ll always rate what a team has done over the course of the season above what’s happened in the last few weeks.
The tougher question to grapple with is if a team’s résumé from previous seasons apply. It’s the question to grapple with for this game.
Based on this year alone, this line is perfectly fine — perhaps even a little low. Atlanta has been far better than Seattle.
But the Seahawks’ still have largely the same core that’s made them the most successful team in the NFL over the last half-decade. Should that count for something?
I’m not sure, but I’m guessing it should. I’m guessing Seattle might be able to tap into a little something more in the playoffs, especially against this team.
Most of Seattle’s problems this season have come from a relatively anemic offense. It shouldn’t look so feeble against Atlanta, which has the worst defense remaining in the playoffs.
Thomas Rawls should follow his 161 rushing yard performance against the Lions with a similar outing facing the Falcons’ run defense. The Falcons will score too, what with one of the best offenses in NFL history, but the Seahawks should be able to hang in.
There are years worth of evidence indicating they’re capable.
Current Standings: Keefer (35-23-2, $12,361), Brewer (21-18-1, $10,095), Grimala (3-2, $10,500), Granger (5-10, $5,850)
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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