Pats-Seahawks spread on the move

LAS VEGAS -- The Seattle Seahawks opened as Super Bowl favorites over the New England Patriots, but the point spread was on the move Sunday night.

The Seahawks opened as 2.5-point favorites at multiple Las Vegas sportsbooks, but the number was down to a pick 'em at the Westgate Superbook and the William Hill and Wynn sportsbooks within an hour after opening. CG Technology was holding at Seattle minus-1. The MGM had the Patriots as 1-point favorites.

There will be two weeks' worth of bets to shape what will be a highly anticipated Super Bowl on Feb. 1, in Glendale, Arizona. The Super Bowl point spread has never kicked off at a pick 'em.

Seattle advanced to its second straight Super Bowl with a remarkable 28-22 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in overtime.

The Patriots had a much easier time, blowing out the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game.

This will be the sixth Super Bowl appearance for the Patriots under coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

The MGM took a six-figure wager on New England minus-1 on Sunday night, according to vice president of race and sports Jay Rood.

Championship Sunday opened with a wild finish between the Seahawks and Packers. The money line odds at William Hill's live betting changed 291 times during the game. Trailing 19-7 with five minutes to play, Seattle was a 30-1 underdog to comeback to win the game after Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw his fourth interception with 5:13 to play.

William Hill took three bets on the Seahawks at 30-1, the largest a $200 wager that paid $6,000, book spokesman Michael Grodsky told ESPN.

Seattle's miraculous comeback was a killer for the MGM sportsbook. In the final hour before kickoff, the MGM took a six-figure bet on the Packers plus-8.5; a six-figure bet on over 44.5; a six-figure bet on the Seattle money line, and a six-figure teaser bet on Green Bay and the over. They all cashed.

"Very brutal," Rood said.

The Super Bowl over/under total opened at 48.5 at most shops and was sitting at 49 as of Sunday evening.