Playing the Field: Fun with Super Bowl prop bets

As much as we are holding out hope for a Jay-Z/Beyonce collab at the Super Bowl, we just don't see it happening. The Destiny's Child reunion is a nice consolation prize, though.

Ahhh yes, the Super Bowl is here again. We are looking forward to the big hits, the big plays and, yes, the big payouts. That’s right! Get ready for one of the most glorious days on the gambling calendar.

Thanks to the beauty of the internet you can bet on everything from the length of the National Anthem to what color Gatorade is dumped on the winning coach. Here at PTF, as purveyors of all that is cool, it is our job to find some of the best prop bets out there and analyze them for you, so away we go:

All prop bets courtesy of Bovada Las Vegas

» How long will the postgame handshake last between coaches?
The line: Over 7 seconds (+110), Under 7 seconds (-150)
Our take: Well, we got two things going on here. First, Jim and John Harbaugh are brothers and, by all media accounts, genuinely like and respect each other. That bodes for a long embrace. However, Jim was also caught up in a handshake scandal in 2011 when he hastily slapped a coach across the back and incited a fight.
The pick: Brotherly love wins out. The two men embrace, look lovingly into each other’s eyes and whisper sweet nothings. Bet the over.

» How long will Alicia Keys’ rendition of the National Anthem be?
The line: Over 2:10 (Even), Under 2:10 (-140)
Our take: Alicia Keys is known for stretching out chords with her church choir voice. (Want proof?…. Replay “This Girl is on Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire” in your cranium). Keys has reportedly said that she wants to do it her way, indicating to us that a longer version is coming. However, the average time in recent years has been right around 1:40.
The pick: We’re guessing Keys turns in one of the longest performances in recent years, as she tries extra hard to make the song hers. In the end, it still comes way under.

» Will Jay-Z join Beyonce on stage at halftime?
The line: Yes (-105), No (-135)
Our take: When we covered the Made in America concert this past summer, the buzz was that Beyonce was going to jump on stage with her hubby. It never happened. Not even when Hova belted out “’03 Bonnie & Clyde.” Plus, there is a rumored Destiny’s Child reunion already scheduled during the halftime show.
The pick: As much as we would like, no, love to see the King and Queen of Hip Hop perform together, it’s not going to happen. There’s not enough time — and this is Bey’s moment to shine, especially after that whole inauguration, lip-sync scandal.

» How many times will Ray Lewis mention God or Lord?
The line: Over (-120), Under (-120)
Our take: Lewis appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week rising out of the ocean, like he’s just been baptized, with hands bent in prayer — and the article is penned by a religion columnist. That’s really all you need to know about Ray Ray.
The pick: This really depends on if the Ravens win or lose. If they win, take the over, it’s a lock. If they lose, you might sweat it out. But, with it being his final game and all, we’re still taking the over.

» Will an active player on either team be arrested before kickoff?
The line: Yes (+500)
Our take: If our crash-course research is accurate, this hasn’t happened since 1999, when the Falcons’ Eugene Robinson was arrested for soliciting an undercover cop for sex the night before the big game. That is, unless you count the mysterious case of Barrett Robbins.
The pick: While it seems like the ultimate longshot, with two of the most well-disciplined teams in the NFL, we suggest taking the action here. Lay down a cool $100 and if it somehow happens, you’ll have an extra $500 to make it rain with at the club.