Top Ten Super Bowl Prop Bets

TTCS does not condone illegal gambling. But if we did, here are ten prop bets we’d suggest wagering on come Super Sunday.

- All lines courtesy of betus.com

10: 1st quarter points Over/Under-- Total 10

In the past decade, since Super Bowl 33 (Broncos over Falcons), only one Super Bowl has seen a total of 10 points or more in the first quarter: Bears/Colts in 2007. The teams in the big game are so nervous being out there, so jacked up to finally be running around and hitting an opposing player after two weeks off, that the first quarter is usually sloppy. Take the under and enjoy the sloppyness.

9: First song of Bruce Springsteen’s halftime show

The two favorites, “Born to Run” and “Born in the USA” are not very big payoffs, with “Run” going at +200 and “USA” at even money. Instead, I’ll take a sleeper pick, “Glory Days”. It just sounds like a song that would kick off a Super Bowl halftime show. The current line is +250, a nice payoff for an upset pick.

8: Player to score first touchdown

Lots of choices here, from Larry Fitzgerald and Willie Parker (both 5-1) to no touchdown scored entire game (100-1). The best bet for your money is probably Tim Hightower, the Cardinals goal line back, who is sitting at 9-1. Arizona likes to bring him in when they are near the end zone, shown by his 10 TD’s this season. I’m not sure if the Cards will score the first touchdown, but if they do, the best bet is Hightower.

7: John Madden food references Over/Under-- Total 2.5

Apparently, this line started out at 1.5, but so many people took the over, it moved up to 2.5. This one is hard to tell, because it seems like with a big game like this, Madden will try to focus on the football. Then again, 25 years of announcing history says that Big John will eventually start discussing his favorite subject: what’s on his plate. Take the over, but be careful if that line moves up any more.

6: Will Arizona score in the 1st and 2nd quarters?-- Yes +130, No -150

In all three of their previous playoff games, the Cardinals have scored early. Now, I just told you to go with the under for the first quarter, and the Steelers have a great D. But assume the Cards get a first quarter field goal before the game opens up in the second, giving Arizona points in each of the first two 15-minute periods. Lay the 100 bucks, take the Yes and cash in on the $130 you earned next Monday.

5: Super Bowl MVP

In bets like this, unless you really have a good feeling about a player, never go with the favorite. Ben Roethlisberger is at +175 and Kurt Warner comes in for +200, meaning you essentially make double your money on those bets. Instead, take somebody like Anquan Boldin (+1,500) or James Harrison (+3,000). Putting down $100 on either of those guys, both of whom have realistic shots at MVP, would bring back quite the payoff.

4: Jennifer Hudson’s National Anthem length Over/Under-- Total 2 minutes

In this case, always go for the over. These singers realize the entire world is watching, so they will stretch the song out as long as they possibly can. And considering how patriotic Chicagoins are feeling these days with Obama in office, expect the Windy City native to display her love for America longer than 120 seconds. Put the cash on the over and use the anthem as a good time for a bathroom break.

3: Combined interceptions Over/Under-- 2.5 interceptions

With two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks facing off, the common thinking is that this one will be under. But I’m not so sure. Both defenses go for the big play and each quarterback will be under constant pressure. In Roethlisberger’s only career Super Bowl, he threw two picks, and in Warner’s last Super Bowl while on the Rams, he threw two INT’s as well. It’s a bit of a risk, but I like the over.

2: Who will have more on February 1? -- Steelers points (+1.5) or LeBron James points (-1.5)

One of the best things about Super Bowl prop bets are the crossover-sports wagers. The Steelers averaged 22 points a game this season, so if you add the spread, that’s 23.5 points. On the other hand, King James, if you subtract the spread, averages 26.5 points a game. So it really comes down to this: Whose defense is better, the Arizona Cardinals or Detroit Pistons? It’s close, but go with LeBron.

1: Hines Ward receiving yards Over/Under-- 68.5 yards

The MVP of Super Bowl 40 is one of the toughest and most talented wideouts in the entire NFL. He also has a banged up right knee that has limited him in practice the last two weeks. This bet, like all other ones for players, is only applicable if Ward actually plays in the game. That’s a good thing, because all reports are that he will try to give it a go but is unsure how long he can play for. So unless Ward has 69 receiving yards before his knee starts bothering him, the safe bet is clearly the under.