It may not have looked like it on the field, but in the sports books of Nevada, the Seahawks’ rout of the Broncos on Sunday night was an upset. Denver, after all, was a 2.5-point favorite.
And in victory, Seattle won like no underdog has before in Super Bowl history.
According to point spread history from VegasInsider.com, the Seahawks’ 43-8 victory vs. Denver was the most lopsided win ever for a Super Bowl underdog.
Previously, the 1987 Redskins held the distinction of the biggest win by a Super Bowl underdog. Washington (+3) defeated Denver 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII.
The Seahawks did open as a slight favorite when widespread Super Bowl betting began two weeks before the game, but Denver money quickly pushed Seattle to the underdog’s role.
The Seahawks are the third consecutive underdog to win outright in the Super Bowl, joining the 2012 Ravens and 2011 Giants.