Super Bowl Odds 2016: Props List and Betting Guide for Panthers vs. Broncos

The Super Bowl was the most popular of the American sporting events long before prop bets became part of the normal conversation surrounding the big event.

Prop bets have only enhanced the Super Bowl's status as the king of all sporting events. Prop bets are offered throughout the NFL season, but they are overshadowed by the point spread and fantasy football on a normal Sunday in the fall. During the hype of Super Bowl week, prop bets are focus of television pregame shows, segments on sports radio and articles like this.

Hundreds of prop bets are available, and the "expert" handicapper in all of us can find something that piques the interest. One of the most popular props is the alternate line bet.

This is a great bet for someone who believes the outcome will not be close to the prescribed point spread. The Carolina Panthers are favored by 5.5 points, according to Odds Shark, with four days to go before the game.

However, fans of either team can bet to alternate the line with varying payoffs. For example, a Carolina fan may believe that Cam Newton and the Carolina offense will take over the game and the Panthers will win by 14 points.

The bettor can make a play on Carolina at minus-14, and if the Panthers win by more than 14 points, the bettor will get paid at a rate of plus-300, according to Odds Shark. So if the gambler bets $100 on the Panthers, he will win $300 for a successful altered-line wager.

Game	Line	Over/Under	Money Line
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers	Carolina (-5.5)	45	Carolina -197; Denver +172

Broncos fans are able to adjust their line as well, and it can be moved in either direction. A Bronco fan who is convinced that her team will win doesn't want (or need) the 5.5 points and can take one point and get paid at a rate of plus-175.

A conservative Panthers backer could also opt to take points with the alternate line bet. If that bettor wanted the Panthers plus 10 points, the gambler could get that line if he was willing to wager $1,400 to win $100.

Super Bowl bettors can also wager on the length of the first touchdown and which team will score the shortest touchdown.

One of the most lucrative prop bets is if the first touchdown is a zero-yard touchdown. To some football fans, that may sound impossible, but a ball that is fumbled into the end zone and recovered for a touchdown, for example, would result in a $5,000 payoff for a $100 wager.

For those who wager that the first touchdown will be between one and seven yards, the payoff is $140 for a $100 bet. If the first touchdown is between eight and 15 yards, the payoff is $400 on a $100 bet, and if the opening score is between 16 and 25 yards, that same $400 payoff applies.

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One prop bet that could provide an excellent chance for a win is the longest field goal. If Denver place-kicker Brandon McManus kicks the longest field goal, a bettor can win $100 for a $105 wager. On the other hand, if Graham Gano kicks the longest field goal, it would take a $120 wager to win $100.

McManus made 30 of 35 field-goal attempts this season, including five of seven from 50 yards and beyond, with a long of 57 yards. Gano made 30 of 36 field-goal attempts, including two of four from 50 yards or longer. His longest field goal was 52 yards this season.

McManus has nailed all seven of his FG attempts in the postseason, while Gano is three-of-three. Since the Broncos often struggle to score touchdowns, McManus may be the way to go, as he may have several FG opportunities.

Football fans can bet on the highest-scoring quarter. The first and third quarters provide the biggest payoffs at plus-500 and plus-450, respectively, while the second quarter is plus-160, and the fourth quarter is plus-250.

The quarterback play is expected to be a huge part of the Super Bowl, and there are a number of prop bets on Cam Newton and Peyton Manning. A successful bet on Newton passing for 350 yards or more will return plus-900. Despite all the success that Newton had this year, a positive outcome on that bet is not likely. Newton did not exceed 350 yards once during the regular season.

A prop bet on Manning completing 30 passes or more offers a return of plus-750. Again, that's not likely because Manning completed 30 or more passes just once this season.

In addition to the prop bets and betting against the point spread, football fans can bet on the over/under and also bet on the money line.

However, with so many prop bets available, it seems football fans can find something exotic that interests them when the Broncos and Panthers meet Feb. 7 at Levi's Stadium.