Super Bowl Odds 2013: Longshot Prop Bets Worth a Risk

The Super Bowl is far and away the most exciting time of year for prop bettors and those that enjoy reading about the interesting wagers that the Vegas and offshore sportsbooks offer on the game.

Whether it’s betting on something as simple as the coin flip, as basic as the MVP or as exotic as Beyonce’s halftime setlist, there’s plenty of proposition action to be found on the event.

Let’s take a look at some long shots that could actually hit on Feb. 3—the day of the Super Bowl—and pay dividends to those who took a calculated risk.

*Prop Bets and Odds via LVH.

Will There Be a Safety?

Yes (+900) over No (-1300)

Every year, a safety prop is one of the longer shots on the board, but somehow the play is not that uncommon.

Through 46 years of Super Bowl history, there have been seven safeties called—the most recent being against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for intentional grounding last season.

It’s becoming a more common play in the league, especially as teams put more emphasis on pass-rushing alongside the battle for field position. With two tough defensive units involved in Super Bowl 47, a safety is not a huge stretch.

Will At Least One Quarter Be Scoreless?

Yes (+240) over No (-280)

Both the Niners and Ravens possess tough, aggressive defenses. Plus, the two head coaches involved in this contest know one another extremely well.

For these two reasons, we believe a scoreless quarter is certainly possible in the Super Bowl.

If you haven’t heard by now, Jim and John Harbaugh are the two HCs being featured. The brothers will be squaring off for the second time in as many years.

While there wasn’t a scoreless quarter back in that Thanksgiving Day 2011 matchup, there were two quarters with only one field goal apiece and a quarter with two field goals.

With more on the line and more time to study each other’s game plans, you can imagine the Harbaughs will have their respective defenses ready.

Will Ed Reed Intercept a Pass?

Yes (+400) over No (-500)

Ed Reed is a prime-time player. The superstar safety is used to making big plays under the brightest lights.

He hasn’t had an interception since early December against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and you know he is just waiting to unleash one in front of what could be well over 100 million viewers.

Reed has made a career off abusing inexperienced quarterbacks and baiting them into throwing interceptions, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the 11-year veteran capitalize on a poor decision from Colin Kaepernick.