Super Bowl Prop Bets 2011: The Coin Toss and 10 Fun Bets for Super Bowl XLV
The Super Bowl is the most commercial sporting event in the world. Americans indulge in a number of guilty pleasures. Suddenly, everyone is interested in commercials, office pools are flowing and the halftime performance is of the utmost importance.
It is time to ditch your resolution, grab some potato chips and squander your money away on a series of ridiculous bets.
Here are 10 bets the Super Bowl features every year to fulfill the needs of those with gambling addictions and those who don't have enough stock invested in either team to care about the actual game.
No. 10: The Coin Flip
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This is probably the most popular prop bet on Super Bowl Sunday. It goes beyond heads or tails, as you can also bet on who will receive the opening kickoff and which team will win the toss. It also may have an effect on who will put the first points on the board.
In Super Bowl history, the coin toss has rendered the result of heads 23 times and tails 21 times. The probability is obviously 50/50, so it may be safe to say tails is due for a comeback. While the safe money may be on tails this year, perhaps the line will move if people start recognizing the uphill battle heads faces in the near future.
Pick: Tails
No. 9: Team To Commit the First Penalty
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The Pittsburgh Steelers might have a bad reputation when it comes to being penalized—both on and off the field—but do you know that just a season ago, the Green Bay Packers led the league with 118 penalties of their own?
I actually have a theory on this one. This bet is predicated off who will get the ball first. If the Packers get the ball first and score on the opening drive, there is a solid chance Aaron Rodgers will display his championship belt dance early on. Overcome with rage, James Harrison won't be able to contain himself, drawing a personal foul for unnecessary roughness.
While a personal foul will probably either be called on or in the defense of Hines Ward at some point, I'm going off the beaten path in this one and saying an Aaron Rodgers taunting call will draw the first flag of the game.
Pick: Packers
No. 8: Will There Be an Overtime?
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In all of the years of the Super Bowl, there has never been an overtime. Historically, the Super Bowl has not even been a close game. Throughout the last decade, we have seen some of the best games in NFL history played in the Championship.
There could very well be an even line at kickoff, and everyone is anticipating a close game. It hasn't happened thus far, but it is bound to happen at some point right? It would make for the most interesting Super Bowl of all-time, as the new overtime rules would make their debut as well.
This one is going to be a close game, and these teams matchup well. It may be worth the risk, as the odds are going to be favorable. In case Donovan McNabb needs clarification, should a need arise for the teams to go into double overtime, the NFL will fulfill that need.
Pick: Yes
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No. 7: The Last Team To Score Will Win the Game
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This one is a lock. For one, if the game goes into overtime, it is a certainty. Secondly, it is becoming trendy to have a climactic game winning drive. Whether it is Santonio Holmes or David Tyree, the Super Bowl players are always trying to outdo their predecessors on the final drive of the game.
In a game that features two quarterbacks who are lethal in two minutes, as this one does, it's safe to say whoever scores last will indeed have the last laugh. The payout may not be in your favor, but your money is relatively safe here.
No. 6: First Team To Use a Challenge
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You may think that since the Super Bowl is supposed to feature the best referees in the world, the challenge flag may not be necessary but don't even get Seahawks fans started on the shortcomings of Super Bowl refs.
Mike McCarthy has been accused of being to slow on the trigger with the challenge flag, while just recently some thought Mike Tomlin was too heavy handed with his. Will the coaches continue to add to their notorious challenge flag flaws or try to right some of their wrongs in the national spotlight?
I suspect the pass-happy Packers will end up with a controversial catch no catch scenario. Mike Tomlin gets the nod on this one.
Pick: Steelers
No. 5: Team To Have Longest Touchdown
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You could very well narrow this one down to two players, Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings. Wallace has world class speed, and Jennings is one of the most dangerous deep route runners in the NFL with amazing open field agility.
All that being said, the only player on the field who has actually scored the longest touchdown in a Super Bowl is James Harrison, who had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown when the Steelers took on the Cardinals.
That means the Steelers have the upper hand in this category when either team has the ball, making this one easy.
Pick: Steelers
No. 4: Will Either Team Score in the Last Two Minutes of the Half?
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You bet. With both teams featuring quarterbacks who can drive down the field in a hurry, you can believe at least one side is going to be able to at least put three points on the board just before the half is over.
It might not be six, but it will be good enough to win this wager. Don't let the defenses scare you off. One of these quarterbacks is going to put their team in a position to punch it in just before the half is over.
No. 3: Will There Be a Score in the First Six and a Half Minutes of the Game
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Neither one of these teams take long to get warmed up. The Packers and Aaron Rodgers can bypass the Steelers' historic run defense by launching an aerial assault. Rodgers commanded a perfect opening drive in the NFC Championship and should put his team in a position to be put up at least three.
On the flip side, the Steelers have a history of having either long, drawn out drives featuring a series of effective runs and clock eating, or one monster play to Mike Wallace. If this game showcases the former, we could see six-and-a-half minutes of play taken off with one drive.
That being said, I think the Packers are going to get the ball first, as I think the Steelers are going to defer even if they win.
Pick: Yes
No. 2: Team To Commit First Turnover
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The Steelers pride themselves upon being a team who plays precise football. They use the clock to their advantage, utilize the run game, and win the turnover battle at all costs. They have 17 more take aways than give aways.
The Packers turn the ball over but force far more errors than they create for themselves. Rodgers isn't afraid to fit the ball into a tight window, which has adverse affects at times. Don't be surprised to see a pick early.
Pick: Steelers
No. 1: Will Fergie Fall Victim to a Wardrobe Malfunction?
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You are going to get great odds on this one, and it might just be worth the risk. We all remember sitting around on Super Bowl Sunday. Everyone was watching the end of halftime, and suddenly, Janet Jackson was naked in all of her infinite glory.
Justin Timberlake's last line of the song being "I'll have you naked, by the end of this song" proved not to be an idol threat. On a stage of this magnitude, with so many people watching, it goes without saying a star performer may take this opportunity to take advantage of the platform.
The Black Eyed Peas should absolutely take this opportunity to promote the launching of their album and go down as one of the most epic halftime performances of all time. Thankfully, we dodged a bullet when The Who failed to take this approach.
.jpg?w=480 "Rams Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Cowboys Giants Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Rodgers to Visit Steelers")
