Bread's Super Bowl Props
In about a week, Super Bowl XLIII will be played here in my hometown of Tampa. That means that as you read this, there is an influx of has-beens and wanna-be’s and retired athletes and hip hop mumblers invading the city to show their face at whatever golfing event, celebrity dinner, or look-at-me high priced gala that will have them. I may sound angry, but I’m not. It thrills me to know that megastars like P-Diddy will be mere miles from my being. And if I actually bumped into Beyonce and Jay-Z, I might just faint like a teenage girl at a Beatles’ concert!
Until I hear that the immortal Nick Nolte is attending a scotch tasting conference at the infamous Mons Venus, I’m just not impressed. If people are actually going to pay money at a place that is knowingly advertising the talents of a scarier than ever Pamela Anderson, a crispy fried DJ AM, and freaking DJ JAZZY JEFF (yes, that one), then have at it folks. I’ll use this opportunity to begin to sift through pages and pages of Prop bets.
Seriously, I’ll pass
I know that many consider Props to be sucker bets. Personally, I enjoy them. I definitely try to find some gems for the big game every year, with varying results. They give you a little something extra to keep an eye on in between the hoopla of the game itself. Oh, and if anyone finds odds on how many times Bruce Springsteen mentions Barack Obama’s name during the halftime show, shoot them my way, thanks.
Shortest field goal of the game Under 25.5 yards (-115)
In order for this to cash, either team has to attempt, and make, a field goal when their offense if on the seven yard line or less. If this is an explosive high-scoring game, I could be in trouble on many fronts. It is my belief that Pittsburgh will do what they’ve done all year long, and that is to make key plays and score when they have to, and make life difficult for opposing offenses. With that being said, I can certainly see a situation where Arizona gets shut down on the goal line, and opts for some early points to stay in the game.
The quality of kickers won’t come into play nearly as much for this wager, than if you were playing the longest FG made. It would be a chip shot for either Neil Rackers or Jeff Reed. The fact that both made over 87% of their FG attempts this season is just a bonus.
Kurt Warner passing yards Under 255.5 yards (-120)
Warner is averaging 256.7 yards passing in these playoffs, and 286.4 in the regular season. The problem is he doesn’t get to throw against San Francisco or St. Louis today. Oh no, he is up against the regular season’s best pass defense in the Steelers. They led the league in allowing only 156.9 ypg, and are only giving up 200 in the postseason.
This one seems easy to me. The only concern I have is if Arizona is playing catch up at the end and Warner is slinging the rock down the field to Larry Fitzgerald. But this is when Troy Polamalu shines, as evidenced by his 40 yd interception in the 4th quarter of last week’s game. Rod Stewart will comfort him when the game is done, because Warner is going to struggle.
Get used to it, Kurt
Will Pittsburgh score in the 1st & 2nd quarters – Yes (-160)
I think that the Steelers will look to take control early on in the game. The second half could find them sitting on the ball, and allowing their defense to take control as the Cards shift into panic mode. The first half is where they might come out strong. There is a lot of chance that goes into this one, but it will give me something entertaining leading into the halftime show (when I shall promptly change the channel).
Will there be three unanswered scores – Yes (-200)
All by Pittsburgh. Preferably in the first half so I can celebrate early. And if by chance I have Arizona all wrong and they run rampant all over the Steelers, I could still cash this one. In the playoffs thus far, a team has scored three unanswered times in 7 of the 10 games, so I like my chances.
There are millions more to choose from, ranging from the strategic, to just plain wacky. I’m sure I’ll find some more that I like the more I stare at them. Propositions are fun, just like being propositioned is fun. Especially if you’re at Mons Venus.
