What is First & Five? Well, it is a sports blog that has some flavoring of pop culture, music, movies and much much more. Each post (besides this one) will feature my takes on five topics, including my list of five. So, take in the takes and please share the site.
For the first post, I am going to the old wheelhouse from the FFLockerRoom days … here are the prop bets for the Super Bowl that you and I will be watching out for.
Please remember: This is for recreational purposes only or for those up in Vegas or wherever it is legal to sports gamble (Signed the First & Five legal department).
So, let’s get into the prop betting mania. Here are the five zaniest props I could find based on the game only (No Cross Sport Props).
1. Will the word “Lacrosse” be said on TV during live broadcast? (Bovada)
Yes: -300
No: +200
If you have not heard, Chris Hogan played lacrosse in college at Penn State (as shocking as Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard). If you have watched pretty much any Patriots game this year, you have heard this fact. And you will hear it again from Joe Buck this game too. I’ll lay the juice and take yes.
2. Will “Houston we have a problem” be said on TV during live broadcast? (Bovada)
Yes: +250
No: -400
Just like Al Michaels in previous editions of the Super Bowl, Joe Buck knows the prop bets going on at the Super Bowl that involve him. He was on Howard Stern and said, “I could literally take down Vegas myself. I have friends, I have family members!” While I do not believe Fox would allow this as there must be a clause in his contract against this, Joe Buck has the chance for his family and friends to cash in on some nice odds by uttering this famous phrase from Apollo 13. Buck may like the cheese factor, but I do not see him doing this. I’ll take no.
3. How long will it take for Luke Bryan to sing the US National Anthem? (Bovada)
Over 2 minutes 9 seconds: -110
Under 2 minutes 9 seconds: -130
One of the favorite props each year is the one regarding the national anthem and this year is no different. According to Oddsshark.com, the UNDER is 7-3 over the past 10 Super Bowls. Alicia Keys set the high mark in recent history when she went 2 minutes 35 seconds a few years back. As for Luke Bryan, he’s been all over the place in past performances. In 2012, he was clocked in just under two minutes at the NASCAR race he was at. When he opened U.S. Bank Stadium, his national anthem from first word to last was 2 minutes 29 seconds! But, the line at Bovada went from 2:15 to 2:09 across this week. I’ll take the over with the extra six seconds from the line movement.
4. What color will the liquid be that is poured on the head coach of the winning team? (Bovada)
Clear/Water: +300
Yellow: +300
Orange: +300
Lime Green/Green: +350
Blue: +500
Red: +600
Purple: +1200
First off, let’s look back at the past choices of the winners. Since Super Bowl 35, there have been “Clear/Water” and “Orange” four times, and “Yellow” and “Purple” twice each. When the Patriots won Super Bowl 49, they dumped blue Gatorade (only time since Super Bowl 35), but dumped clear liquid for Super Bowl 39. For the pick, let’s get rid of the purple and red right away. Since I am going with the Patriots (more on that later), I would go with the “Blue” at +500 as a choice with great odds among the pack.
5. IF the Patriots win will Brady, Belichick or Kraft be seen shaking Roger Goodell’s hand on TV? (Bovada)
Yes: -400
No: +250
Ladies and gentlemen … this is the Main Event of the evening! If the Patriots win, this is going to be quite uncomfortable for the commish handing over the Lombardi trophy to Kraft and most likely the MVP trophy to Brady. I believe there will be some ingenious smiles and a weak handshake will occur.
Now, we move on to my pick of the winner in the Super Bowl. As referenced above, I am picking the New England Patriots (-3) to win 27-20. Bill Belichick getting two weeks to prepare for the high-flying Falcons offense is quite helpful along with being one of the top teams on defense in 2016. On the flip side, the Falcons, while improved on defense, are still an average defense at best and one that Tom Brady can pick apart with high efficiency. Plus, I hate saying experience will play a factor, but, in this case, I believe it will. According to ESPN Stats & Info, “4 active Falcons players have appeared in a Super Bowl. All 4 play on defense, and none play more than 40 percent of snaps.” The last strike against the Falcons is their jersey choice. The NFC got to pick the jersey color first and the Falcons went against the strong trend by choosing their red jerseys. This left the Patriots wearing white, which has one 11 of the last 12 Super Bowls.
So, I am going with the Patriots by seven. Hope you all enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!
First & Five 