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People might think that the Super Bowl is about football, but sports bettors know that it's actually about prop betting. Sportsbooks offer a ridiculous range of Super Bowl proposition bets, and there are more every year. Some of them are truly sucker bets designed to part casual bettors and their cash. There are some, however, that are interesting and worth a closer look. Here are a few, with odds from Bodog:
Will the team that scores first win the game? - The Steelers failed to score first in eight games this season. They were 7-1 in those games. Arizona got beaten out of the gate in nine games, and were 4-5. That means that the two teams combined to go 11-6 when not scoring first. The odds are at +120 that the team that scores first won't win. That seems like really decent value.
Which team will commit the first turnover? - The Steelers were a decent takeaway team all season, but they didn't excel particularly, going just +4 on the season, which was only seventh best in the AFC. That's well behind the +17 of the Dolphins. They have been better during the playoffs, though, going +5 in two games. As good as they have been in the postseason, though, the Cardinals have been even better. They are at +9 in three games, and have made some good quarterbacks look pretty bad. The Cardinals are the underdogs in this prop at even money. Given their hot streak in the playoffs that seems like good value.
What will the Arizona Cardinals first score of the game be? - The field goal is the underdog here at 7/5. If you are a believer in the strength of the Pittsburgh defense then it could make good sense that Arizona won't be able to score a touchdown early on, especially since offenses are typically jittery early on in the Super Bowl.
Will the team that scores last win the game? - The Cardinals did not score last in their playoff games against the Panthers and the Falcons. The Steelers did not score last in theirs against the Chargers. That means that the winners haven't scored last in three of the teams' five playoff games. The odds are +195 that the last team to score won't win. Given what has happened up to this point that price is a steal.
Total punts in the game by both teams? - The Cardinals are averaging five punts per game in the playoffs. The Steelers are averaging 5.5 punts, and their opponents have averaged six. Both offenses are likely to be nervous early on given the ridiculous pressure of the game. The over/under is set at 9.5, and the over is the underdog at +105. That's solid value at that price.
Kurt Warner passing attempts - The total is set at 37.5, and the under is the underdog at +135. Warner has had 28, 32, and 32 attempts in his three playoff games this year. That makes the under seem like it's worth a shot here.
Kurt Warner completion percentage - The total is set at 62 percent. He has completed passes at a better rate than that on the season, and in two of his three playoff games. His completion percentage has improved in each playoff game, and was all the way up at 75 percent in the last game against Philadelphia, the best defense he has faced. The over is the underdog at -110. That's not terrible.
Total rushing attempts for Edgerrin James - The total is 14. James has had at least 16 attempts per game in the playoffs, and he's averaging 17.3. He had his most attempts against the Panthers, and that was the game in which he had his lowest average yardage, so early problems against the Steelers' defense probably won't force the Cardinals away form the run. The over is reasonably attractive at +115.
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Will Tim Hightower score a TD? - Hightower has scored touchdowns in nine of the 19 games he has appeared in. He's the go-to guy from short yardage. He hasn't scored as much in the second half of the game, but the price is still attractive - he's at +195 to score.
Who will throw more interceptions? - Ben Roethlisberger had one more interception in the regular season than Kurt Warner did. Roethlisberger was lousy in his one Super Bowl game, while Kurt Warner has owned the game in his two appearances. Roethlisberger is the underdog in this prop at +120. I give him better than an even chance of throwing more interceptions, so this price is attractive.
Who will catch a pass first - Hines Ward or Larry Fitzgerald? - I see this one as somewhat comparable to the coin toss. Both of these guys are the heart of their respective offenses, so it seems reasonable that the quarterbacks will look to set a tone by throwing to them early. That means that whichever team wins the coin toss is also likely to win this prop. Hines Ward is a heavy underdog at +150, so he is certainly worth a look.