Super Bowl 2012 Prop Bets: Dissecting Most Rewarding Gambles

As with every year, prop bets have made gambling on the Super Bow a whole lot more interesting.

They've opened up new opportunities to think creatively and get rewarded for doing so. Long gone are the days of simply betting on Team X to beat Team Y.

Here's a look at the prop bets you need to gamble on as the New England Patriots face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Team to Get First Penalty in the Game

Giants (-135)

Patriots (+105)

I understand the thinking here: there are considerably more Giants fans at the Super Bowl this year and noise has a way of disrupting offenses.

But the Patriots averaged 5.0 penalties per game in 2011, fourth-fewest in the NFL. That speaks to the preparation of the team and of head coach Bill Belichick.

Plus, the Giants' patchwork offensive line is going to have a hard time not false-starting against Belichick's many defensive looks.

Team to Have Longest Kickoff Return of the Game

Giants (-125)

Patriots (-105)

The Giants are the technical favorite here, but by a slim margin.

The Giants have averaged 23.3 yards per kickoff return in the regular season while the Patriots averaged 21.4 yards per kickoff return.

The Giants have allowed 1.3 yards per kick return more than the Patriots, but the biggest kick return they've allowed is a 42-yarder. The Patriots have allowed an 88-yard kickoff return.

The Giants do a good job of keeping opposing teams from doing too much damage in the kick returning department.

Total QB Sacks by New York Giants

Over 2.5 sacks (-105)

Under 2.5 sacks (-125)

I know Tom Brady doesn't get sacked much. I know he has a solid offensive line. But I just don't see how the Giants pass rush will have less three sacks in this game.

When you have pass rushers like Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora playing in the Big Game, that makes them even more dangerous.

Considering they have already been dominant, that's bad news for Brady and the Patriots.

Will the New York Giants Score a Special Teams or Defensive Touchdown in the game?

Yes (+250)

No (-325)

The obvious favorite here is "no" given both teams aren't exactly world-beaters when it comes to overall defense. But don't forget that the Giants returned three interceptions for touchdowns during the regular season—tied for second in the NFL.

I think the crowd noise, combined with the Giants' pass rush, will see Brady cough up a pick-six.