The single biggest sporting event of the year is finally here. Super Bowl 45 will take place this Sunday night, and it is expected to be a terrific matchup. An interesting fact is that the Super Bowl point spread currently sits at 2.5 points, which makes it the first time the line has been set at less than three points since 1982!

This is sure to be an exciting game, and the best news of all is that there are plenty of ways to get involved from a betting standpoint. Every sportsbook will have plenty of Super Bowl prop bets and alternate lines available. It is essential that you shop around for the best lines in a game like this. There are limitless options available to you, so make sure you take advantage, and always get the best line possible. Let’s take a look at a few ideas for Super Bowl betting picks this year!

Super Bowl Free Betting Picks: First Scoring Play

Bookmaker has the odds up for the first scoring play of the game. The favorites here are Packers-Passing TD +240 and Packers-Field Goal +250. The Packers are only slight favorites in this game, but it seems the first scoring play is skewed pretty heavily in their direction. I like the value on Steelers - Rushing TD +500. Rashard Mendenhall has run the ball well all year long, and the Packers defense is only mediocre against the run.

Super Bowl 45 Picks: Second Quarter Betting

5Dimes has the Packers moneyline at -135 and Packers -0.5 +115 for the second quarter action. While I think it is difficult to determine who will win the second quarter, I do like the ‘under’ in the second quarter. 5Dimes has ‘under’ 14 currently available at -135. These two defenses are the best in the NFL, and anytime you put a line at 14 points in a single quarter with these teams, I think the ‘under’ is worth a look.

Super Bowl 45 Free Betting Picks: Rashard Mendenhall Rushing Yards

5Dimes has a nice variety of Super Bowl props available, and one that stands out to me is the Rashard Mendenhall rushing yards prop bet. The number of yards is currently set at 78.5 yards, with the ‘under’ lined at -120 and the ‘over’ at +100. I really like the ‘over’ in this case. The Steelers will want to keep Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense off the field. The best way to do that is run the football with Mendenhall. The Packers rushing defense is ranked 18th in the NFL, and I think Mendenhall could easily get to 100 yards. At even money, this is one of my favorite plays of the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl 45 Betting Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers Alternate Line

Sportsbook.com has a number of alternate line possibilities for the big game, but the one that stood out to me was the Steelers at -3.5. This one is currently set at +200, which seems like a nice value to me. The Steelers have been here before and have been successful. In 15 of the last 19 Super Bowl games, the winner has won by at least four points. Since the Steelers are very small underdogs in this game, +200 seems like a nice value on this alternate line.

Super Bowl Free Betting Picks: Aaron Rodgers Rushing Prop

Sports Interaction has a huge variety of prop bets set for Super Bowl 45. Aaron Rodgers’ rushing yard total is currently set at 20.5 yards. The ‘over’ and ‘under’ are both lined at -120. Rodgers has had success scrambling in recent weeks, but this Steelers front seven is extremely talented. I think Pittsburgh will sack Rodgers several times, and I don’t see him breaking many big runs on this defense. I like the ‘under’ on this one.

Free Super Bowl 45 Betting Picks: MVP

One of the favorite prop bets on Super Bowl day is always the Super Bowl MVP prop. Who will be the MVP this year? Aaron Rodgers is the favorite everywhere, and it is tough to argue with that. If you are looking for a nice value, I think Greg Jennings is worth a look. Bookmaker currently has Jennings at +1,000 and his ability to break the long play gives him a shot at racking up some impressive numbers in Super Bowl 45.

Doc’s Sports’ Super Bowl content is the best on the Internet and we will dissect the game from every possible angle, from Betting the Super Bowl Coin Toss to Super Bowl Squares Probability. We also offer expert Super Bowl picks from seven different handicappers (for only $25 for each NFL handicapper) and our Super Bowl odds page will be updated any time there is line movement for the big game. Check our home page daily all week for daily exclusive content!