It’s always better when there’s money involved. That’s why we love fantasy football so much. And why so many office hold block pools where each participant gets a combination of digits for the score.
Sunday, when things kick off at 6:30 p.m. on NBC (or even before, when Pink sings the National Anthem), there are more things to root for than just the final score.
Here’s a look at some of the best prop bets for Super Bowl LII, and how we would bet them (all odds based on Bet SDI Sportsbook):
National Anthem over/under
This bet looks to be a sure fire over. Last year the over/under was at 2:09 and this year it’s at just two minutes. There will be a big jetplane flyover and her timing will need to be spot on, implying she’ll sing slowly.
The pick: Over 2:00 (+140)
Bill Belichick’s hoodie
He is indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium. He hasn’t worn a hoodie as often this year. We think this one is an easy bet.
The pick: No (-115)
Tom Brady for MVP
Brady is the Super Bowl MVP favorite, and it would take a $130 bet to win $100. While the odds for the field are tantalizing (Alshon Jeffery pays $3,000 on a $100 bet), Brady has won four of five Super Bowl MVPs in addition to the five titles he has won.
The pick: No. 4 for No. 12 (-130)
LeGarrette Blount scores first touchdown
Blount is a former Patriot and is going to play hard against his old team. He is a touchdown machine and will be getting goalline carries Sunday. The Patriots have never scored a first quarter touchdown in a Super Bowl with Tom Brady as quarterback. This is a great bet with a great payout.
The pick: Blount scores (+850)
Quarter with most points
The Patriots are notorious — particularly in the playoffs with Brady at the helm — for scoring late. In nearly all of their Super Bowls, they did most of their damage int he second half or fourth quarter, most memorably last year’s record-setting comeback against the Falcons. The Eagles also are a late-scoring team, posting the sixth-most points in the fourth quarter in the regular season (7.6 per game).
The pick: The fourth (+170)
Zach Ertz receptions vs. Jordan Spieth birdies
Somehow, the geniuses in Vegas always come up with really compelling cross-sport bets. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is always a low-scoring affair, with their stadium par three and drivable par four down the stretch at TPC Scottsdale. Jordan Spieth, a favorite in the event, will likely post somewhere between 4-to-8 birdies in the final round of the tournament. Eagles tight end Ertz, in our estimation, will lead the Eagles in receptions. We’re picking him for this bet.
The pick: Ertz catches (-160)
Al Michaels says “underdog”
Michaels is NBC’s play-by-play man and the Eagles’ biggest storyline this postseason has been their success as underdogs. Fans will be wearing dog masks. The payout isn’t great but the payout is all but guaranteed.
The pick: Yes (-1,000)
N’SYNC reunion
We already analized rumors that Justin Timberlake — the Super Bowl halftime performer — would reunite with his former boy bandmates during the performance. Joey Fatone is inexplicably in Minneapolis for gods sake! The betting language says “will any member of N’SYNC appear on stage. Get ready for some Dirty Pop.
The pick: Yes (+150)
