Docs Website

54 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2026 Super Bowl First Half Betting Tips and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 2/3/2026

Super Bowl first half betting Cooper Kupp Seattle Seahawks

There are numerous betting markets available at Super Bowl LX, but one of the best ones is the first-half lines. While the game spread, total, and moneyline are often very accurate, there can sometimes be loose lines in the first-half markets. Not only can you take advantage of this fact, but you also add extra excitement to the first half and the final possessions before halftime. If things go your way, the second half could turn into a freeroll, or it could offer an opportunity to win back any first-half losses. Both of these teams have been excellent in the first half this season, but there are still a few trends that are available to be exploited this Sunday. 

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Seattle Seahawks First Half Trends:

Seattle went 12-7 against the spread in the first half this season, just under their 14-5 full game against the spread record. Their strong defense has allowed them to slam the door in the opening possessions, as the Seahawks have eliminated opening drives, and they have gone a sparkling 11-4-4 on the moneyline in the first quarter. These early leads have allowed Sam Darnold to play with confidence, as he has shown fragility in tight situations throughout his career. Getting off to a hot start will be crucial in this one, as a Darnold meltdown on national television would be a sour end to a stellar season for Seattle. 

When you look at the PPG stats in the first quarter, it is no surprise to see Seattle consistently getting ahead. Seattle leads the league with 7 first-quarter PPG this season, and is third in the league with 14.9 first-half PPG. Their defense has been just as dominant, as they allow just 2.8 PPG in the first quarter, and a league-leading 7.5 PPG in the first half. It is no surprise to see this team in the Super Bowl when they average a touchdown lead at halftime, which has really allowed them to build consistent success this season. Seattle’s early leads have taken the pressure off Darnold on offense, and it has allowed them to pin their ears back and rush the quarterback on defense. 

For the total points, Seattle has been a machine on offense in the first half, which has led them to a 13-6 record to the over this year. They have seen 24+ points scored in the first half in 13 of their 19 games this year, the most in the NFL. This is surprising, as they were only 9-8 to the over this season, as they frequently ran out the clock once they built a first-half lead. 

New England Patriots First Half Trends:
If you thought Seattle was impressive in the first half, wait until you hear about the Patriots. New England went 14-5-1 against the spread in the first half, and an incredible 17-2-1 on the moneyline. The Patriots have been able to lean on their passing attack in the early stages of games, before running out the clock in the second half. A 17-2-1 record at halftime is truly remarkable, and it is one of the best NFL first-half records posted in decades. Their 16.5 first-half PPG leads the league by a wide margin, which has filled the young Drake Maye with confidence in the second halves. This has allowed him to play with confidence regardless of the down and distance, as a lead with a strong defense on the other side of the ball is a recipe for success. Their 9.1 PPG allowed is only the sixth-lowest total in the NFL, but their aggression in the final minutes of the opening half has allowed them to pile on the points while conceding a few extra field goals. The Patriots' soft schedule is often pointed at when talking highly of this unit, but the against-the-spread record takes that into account, and New England has still vastly exceeded expectations. 

For the total points, the Patriots offense has been the driving force behind New England’s 13-7 record to the over in the first half this season. Opposing defenses have struggled to slow down Drake Maye in the opening frame, and the Patriots' aggressive tendencies in the closing stages of the first half have allowed plenty of points for both teams inside the two-minute warning. As long as Mike Vrabel doesn’t change his tune in the Super Bowl, there will almost certainly be points in the final minutes of the first half on Sunday. 

Super Bowl LX First Half Picks: Seahawks vs Patriots

These are two of the very best first-half teams in the league, and the Super Bowl could be decided by who gets their noses in front heading into the break. Both of these rosters are used to playing with the lead thanks to their stellar first-half records, and a double-digit hole for either side will likely be too much to overcome. They have incredible first-half records on the moneyline and the spread, but the more interesting aspect we can exploit is their record to the total. These two teams have consistently cashed the over in the first half, before dramatically slowing down the pace of play in the second half. While running out the clock with a first-half lead has proven an effective strategy, they can’t both take the lead into halftime, and one of the two teams will need to adjust their game plan. 

For the first half odds, Seattle is a -3 point favorite on the spread, with -190 moneyline odds. New England is bouncing back at +3 with +160 moneyline odds, with a 22.5-point first-half total for the two teams. First of all, I think there is plenty of value in New England with a full field goal on the spread. The three-point spread isn’t as crucial a number for first-half lines compared to game lines, but it is still a comfortable amount of wiggle room for a team that has gone 17-2-1 against the spread in the first half this season. New England has been able to get off to hot starts, execute their two-minute drills, and enjoy a halftime lead more often than not. While we will be taking the Patriots spread, the best bet of the first half is to expect points. The 22.5 point total doesn’t interest me too much, as I do think defenses will generally come out on top. Instead, the +105 odds on the first half to be the highest scoring half of the game are the top pick of the day. I am shocked to see that we are getting plus money on this prop, considering how strong the first half trends have been compared to the second half numbers for both of these teams. Seattle and New England are a combined 26-13 to the over in the first half, compared to 23-16 to the over on the full game. There are rarely second-half lines in the regular season, but it is safe to say that these two would have finished under those totals more often than not had they been available. Not only is the first half to be the highest scoring, the top play in this category, but it just might be the most confident Super Bowl pick I am making this year.

Pick: New England Patriots First Half +3 -110

Top Pick: Highest Scoring Half? First +105 

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent Super Bowl Betting

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers