Super Bowl 2015: Prop Bets, Predictions for Patriots vs. Seahawks

The Super Bowl can be a lucrative sporting event for bettors given the variety of prop bets out of Las Vegas.

Prop bets, by nature, are so unpredictable that they are a big risk for those looking to get in on the action. In a sport where so many variables come together on every single play, there's no telling who could score the first touchdown, kick the first field goal or force the first turnover.

But there are educated guesses you can make by analyzing trends, stats and popular themes heading into Super Bowl XLIX. Below is a list of the most notable prop bets, including predictions for each.

Super Bowl Prop Bets

Prop Bet	Odds	Prediction
Team to score first	NE (-115), SEA (-115)	Seahawks
Team to score last	NE (-115), SEA (-115)	Seahawks
Type of first score	TD (-165), FG or SFTY (+135)	Field Goal
Patriots' total points	Over/Under 24.5	Under
Seahawks' total points	Over/Under 24.5	Under
Total touchdowns in game	Over/Under 5.5	Under
Total field goals in game	Over/Under 3.5	Under
Will game go to overtime?	Yes (+800), No (-1,600)	No

Game Odds (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 48.5
• Spread: Seahawks (-2)

All prop bets courtesy of Odds Shark as of January 31.

Prediction

The safest prop bet is putting money on Marshawn Lynch scoring the first touchdown of the game. He notched 13 rushing touchdowns during the regular season and one more during the playoffs. He also recorded four receiving touchdowns.

Lynch is the focal point of an offense that doesn't have the best weapons through the air. Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse have big-play potential, but their value lies in how well they block in the run game. The Seattle Seahawks appear committed to pounding the rock. Baldwin spoke to Sirius XM NFL Radio about the team's goals for Lynch in the game:

He's a rock in the playoffs, having scored eight career touchdowns in playoff games. ESPN Stats & Info tweeted about the company he now keeps because of that mark:

Feel confident in betting on Lynch to score the game's first touchdown. At the very least, be comfortable betting on him to score at some point during the contest.

The second-safest prop has to do with whether or not the game will go to overtime. No Super Bowl has ever been decided in an overtime period. Plenty have ended on last-second field goals or touchdowns, however.

It's not unreasonable to think that the New England Patriots and Seahawks—the two top teams in the NFL in terms of seeding—might be tied at the end of four quarters. But keep the thought in your head. Don't take it to Vegas.

Given the history of the Super Bowl—a history featuring matchups of far more evenly matched teams—there's a 0 percent chance fans will be treated to overtime. If a game is that close at the end, look for Tom Brady or Russell Wilson to lead a game-winning drive. Brady led three game-winning drives this year. Wilson led five.

In terms of an overall game prediction, the matchup is close enough that it's difficult to say definitively which side will put up the most points. The Seahawks defense is devastating, but the Patriots offense is potent. The Seahawks offense is just so-so, but the Patriots defense is as well.

Seattle's defense should overcome, though. The speed with which its big hitters play with is uncanny, which will make it difficult for anything to materialize on the edge. LeGarrette Blount will be forced to stay between the tackles if he wants to find success.

Blount is key to the Patriots' strategy. He opens up the air for Brady and his wideouts, forcing Seattle to stay honest. Balance is the key to beating the Seahawks. New England will find it difficult to achieve this balance, which will allow Seattle to hoist yet another Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Prediction: Seahawks win, 24-21

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn