Giants vs Patriots Predictions: Exploring Super Bowl's Best Prop Bets

When you think of the NFL, you can't help but think about gambling. Yes, the gambling industry (both legal and illegal) is one of the things that "props" up the NFL (pun intended).

Speaking of "props"—those fun little bets that even those of us who never wager a cent of a Sunday will be intrigued with—are certainly alive and well for this year's big game. 

Look, we aren't talking the normal stuff, like who is going to win and by how much? No, that's boring. However, in case you're interested, the current odds favor the Patriots by three points and the under/over is 55 points.

In this case, we're talking about crazy bets like when will TV viewership peak in New York City (fourth quarter), how many will watch the game (over/under 115 million) and who President Obama will pick to win (even odds).

While prop bets vary from place to place, for those of you with money to burn, you can even bet on how the Dow Jones will respond the day after the Super Bowl!

Oh, and by the way, there is a game, too. Just in case you're wondering, the odds that the game will be cancelled is currently off the boards.

Entertainment Props

There are actually quite a few prop bets relating to the signing of the National Anthem by former American Idol and current pop star Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson will start off the festivities by singing the anthem—that much we know—but will she be wearing NFL merchandise while doing so? 3-2 odds say she will.

Furthermore, you won't be able to see her bare midriff, as that's a 1-3 odds against.

But the biggest attention is on how long it will take her to sing. Some singers tend to add their own flavor to the tune, stretching it out to where it is almost unrecognizable.

Well, for Clarkson the over/under is 1:34. Ah, but will she omit a word like Christina Aguilera did? The odds say no (1-2 odds).

Meanwhile, if you prefer the halftime show, odds are that Madonna's hair will be blonde (1-4 odds). She won't be wearing a hat (1-2 odds), nor will she be wearing NFL clothing (1-4 odds).

Ah, but don't worry, male fans. The odds say she will be wearing fishnet stockings at some point during the show (even odds). If you're into older women.

What will Madonna be using to start the Super Bowl Halftime show? A headset is -300 while a handheld microphone is +200.

Talking Props

Another fun prop bet is related to what the announcers and players might say during or following the big game.

For example, how many times will an announcer mention the Green Bay Packers? And, if Tom Brady is named the MVP (odds are 13-10 he will), who will he thank first?

During his acceptance speech, odds are Brady will thank his teammates first (2-1 odds), followed by God (7-2), and Pats owner Robert Kraft (7-2). Odds against coach Bill Belichick being the first one thanked by Brady are 5-1.

Oh, and for those of you who think that Brady won't thank anyone? Well, think again. The odds are 12-1 against that happening.

How many times the announcers mention Colts owner Jim Irsay (over/under one reference) and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (over/under 1.5 references) are also available if you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

Another bet you can take, if you are so inclined, is which QB that currently ISN’T in the Super Bowl gets mentioned first by the announcers? Peyton Manning, Tony Romo and Tim Tebow are the favorites.

If that isn't enough for you, you can wager on how many times during the Super Bowl will Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth mention the NBC television show “The Voice”? Over/under is 4.5 times.

Sight Props

Yes, it's not only about what people will say, but who will the television broadcast show first and how many times?

For example, which of the competing QBs wives will they show first? Odds are that Eli Manning's wife, Abby, will be shown on camera before Tom Brady's wife, Gisele (2-3 odds).

But don't worry, you will see Gisele on camera. The odds are almost certain that Brady's wife will be shown at least once (2-3 odds). In fact, even his son Benjamin will be shown (2-3 odds) and he will be wearing his dad's jersey (1-2 odds).

And speaking of Manning, how many times will they show Eli's brother Peyton (over/under is 3.5 appearances)? I say go over on that one.  

Future & Cross-Sport Props

Another interesting line of prop bets relate to things we won't know until after the game and, in some cases, quite some time following the outcome of the Super Bowl. They are called "Futures" bets.

Now, some will be known the next day. For example, how will the Dow Jones respond the day after the big game? Market up is -140, while the market going down is even odds.

But others will take some time. Such as, "Will the Patriots win the super Bowl and the Boston Celtics win the 2012 NBA Championship"? The odds are 40-1 against both happening.

How about the Pats winning the Super Bowl and the Red Sox winning the World Series? Slightly better chance at 18-1.

And if you happen to be a hockey fan, the odds of both the Pats and Bruins winning championships is only 9-1.

But don't worry, Giants fans, Vegas hasn't forgotten you. The odds that the Giants and Yankees win are 14-1. But the Giants and Knicks are a longshot at 50-1.  

Giants and Rangers? 20-1.

Photo credit: www.sportsofboston.com

Political Props

Hey, it is election year after all. So the politically charged prop bets are there for the taking, folks.

"Will the New England Patriots win Super Bowl XLVI and Mitt Romney be the Republican Candidate for the 2012 election"? Yes, 3-2.

"Will the New England Patriots win Super Bowl XLVI and Mitt Romney win the 2012 Presidential Election"? Yes, 4-1.

How many times will Mitt Romney be shown on TV during the game? The over/under is one time.

Meanwhile, we already mentioned that who the president will pick is even odds, but it's also true of each of the Republican candidates (even odds).

And, in a prediction that will surprise very few of us, it's likely all politicians outside of New York and Massachusetts will bail on making a prediction altogether (1-2 odds). 

Prop Firsts

Some of the prop bets related to "firsts" include the following:

Who will score first? Giants -105; Pats -125

First possession begins at yard line: over/under 20.5
First play from scrimmage: run/pass
Yards gained on first play from scrimmage: over/under 6.5
First Patriots pass: complete/incomplete
First Giants pass: complete/incomplete

First penalty called on: offense/defense

• What will the first score of the game be? Touchdown is -190, field goal or safety is +155.
• Which player will score the first TD? Here are the odds:

Rob Gronkowski (NE) TE 11/2
Aaron Hernandez (NE) TE 15/2
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE) RB 15/2
Victor Cruz (NYG) WR 15/2
Wes Welker (NE) WR 15/2
Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) RB 17/2
Hakeem Nicks (NYG) WR 17/2
Brandon Jacobs (NYG) RB 12/1
Deion Branch (NE) WR 14/1
Mario Manningham (NYG) WR 14/1
Danny Woodhead (NE) RB 20/1
Jake Ballard (NYG) TE 20/1
Chad Ochocinco (NE) WR 25/1
Stevan Ridley (NE) RB 25/1
Tom Brady (NE) QB 25/1
Eli Manning (NYG) QB 35/1
Julian Edelman (NE) WR 35/1
Travis Beckum (NYG) TE 35/1
Bear Pascoe (NYG) TE 40/1
D.J. Ware (NYG) RB 50/1
Field 15/2
No TD scored in the game 150/1

Who will catch a pass first? Here are just a few of the matchups:

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) WR -105
Wes Welker (NE) WR -125

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) WR -175
Deion Branch (NE) WR +145

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) WR EVEN
Rob Gronkowski (NE) TE -130

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) WR -115
Aaron Hernandez (NE) TE -115

Victor Cruz (NYG) WR -115
Wes Welker (NE) WR -115

Victor Cruz (NYG) WR -175
Deion Branch (NE) WR +145

Which QB will throw for 100 yards first? Both Manning and Brady are -115.

First team to score 10 points (or more):

New York Giants (First to 10) EVEN
New England Patriots (First to 10) -125
Neither Team Scores 10+ Points +5000

Player Props

Will any player get a penalty for excessive celebration in the game? Yes +250

Manning vs. Brady:

Over/under passing yards:

Manning 315; Brady 320

Passing attempts:

Manning 38.5; Brady 39.5

Longest completion:

Manning 44.5 yards; Brady 42.5

Total completions:

Manning 24.5; Brady 25.5

TD passes:

Manning 2.5; Brady 2.5

Interceptions:

Manning .5; Brady .5

Will Corey Webster (NYG) get an interception in the game?
Yes +350
No -500

Will Kenny Phillips (NYG) get an interception in the game?
Yes +400
No -600

Total Rushing Yards – BenJarvus Gree-Ellis (NE)
Over/Under 45.5

Total Receiving Yards – Wes Welker (NE)
Over/Under 82.5

Total Receiving Yards – Rob Gronkowski (NE)
Over/Under 82½

Photo credit: www.radaronline.com 

Coaching Props

Coaches challenges: over/under 1.5

Team to Call the First Coaches Challenge in the Game:
New York Giants (First Coaches Challenge) -115
New England Patriots (First Coaches Challenge) -115

What Color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?
Yellow 7/4
Orange 9/4
Clear/Water 3/1
Red 11/2
Green 6/1
Blue 10/1

Game Props

First possession begins at yard line: over/under 20.5
First play from scrimmage: run/pass
Yards gained on first play from scrimmage: over/under 6.5
First Patriots pass: complete/incomplete
First Giants pass: complete/incomplete

First penalty called on: offense/defense

Yardage length of first accepted penalty: over/under 5.5
Tom Brady passing yardage: over/under 284.5
Brady turnovers: over/under 1.5
Eli Manning passing yardage: over/under 309.5
Manning turnovers: over/under 1.5
Justin Tuck tackles + assists + passes defended – sacks: over/under 4.5
Manning completions + Brady completions: over/under 55.5

Aaron Hernandez receiving yards minus receptions: over/under 52.5
Lawrence Tynes point-after-touchdown conversions: over/under 2.5
First team to score: Giants/Patriots
Points of first score: over/under 3.5
Yardage length of first New York touchdown: over/under 11.5
Yardage length of first New England touchdown: over/under 9.5
Jersey number of first Giant to score a touchdown: over/under 44.5
Jersey number of first Patriot to score a touchdown: over/under 83.5
First touchdown: pass/rush
Punts (average yards-both teams): over/under 45.5
Two-point conversion attempts: over/under ½
Total points (halftime): over/under 27.5
Add total points at halftime; sum is: odd/even
Length of longest Stephen Gostkowski field goal: over/under 41.5
Total yards (both teams): over/under 663.5
Touchbacks on kickoffs (both teams): over/under 3.5
New York red zone efficiency: over/under 37.66.5%
New England red zone efficiency: over/under 38.47.5%
Missed field goals: over/under ½
New York first downs: over/under 23.5
New England first downs: over/under 25.5
New York penalties: over/under 6.5
New England penalties: over/under 4.5

Other Odds & Ends

Who will win the coin toss? Even odds.

Will the coin toss be heads or tails? Again, even odds. 

(Amazing but true: The NFC team has won 14 consecutive coin tosses. The odds of that happening are 16,000-1. The odds of the NFC winning again seem pretty slim, although it's still just 50-50).

What will be higher—Tom Brady touchdown passes (-115) or Ray Allen three-point shots made (-115)?

Attendance: over/under 68,256

Jersey number of Super Bowl MVP: over/under 10.5

Letters in last name of Super Bowl MVP: over/under 5.5

Duration of game: 3:19

Will the team that scores first win the game?
Yes (Team Scores First Wins) -165
No (Team Scores First Does Not Win) +135

Will Either team score 3 unanswered times in the game?
Yes (3 Unanswered Scores) -190
No (3 Unanswered Scores) +155 

How many times will David Tyree's 2008 Super Bowl catch be shown be shown on TV during the game? (1)

How many viewers will stream the Super Bowl online—Over 1.5 million and under 1.5 million are each -120.

What will be higher—Manning completions or Lebron points?

Brady TD passes or Ray Allen 3 point shots made (or Bruins goals).

Giants total points or Henrik Lundqvist saves.