Struggling with the over-under on how many times the announcers will say “Beast Mode” or how many times Peyton will say “Omaha”? Don’t worry. Michael Kasdan is here with his picks
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Sports and sports gambling have always gone hand-in-hand.
At times sports and sports gambling have coexisted uncomfortably. The sordid Chicago Black Sox Scandal in baseball and NCAA point shaving scandals (among others since these “classic” sports gambling scandals) come to mind. They left a bad taste in our mouths and threatened the integrity of the sports.
But as part of its ascent to the Most Popular Sports League in the USA the NFL seems to have harnessed the power and energy of sports gambling and integrated it into the fan’s football experience. Sports writers and radio hosts publicize the betting lines and their picks against the spread every weekend; and plenty of fans (this fan included) compete against their friends to pick games against the spread. It’s a way of maintaining the fan’s interest in the full slate of games. Even when the Browns play the Jaguars. Simply put, sports gambling and the NFL are two great tastes that taste great together.
So where is the gambling action at for the Super Bowl? Well, of course you can bet on the actual football game by picking whether the Broncos or Seahawks will win and/or cover the spread. And sure, most Super Bowl parties will have their 100 square grids. BO-RING. Let’s talk about some real games of chance.
How about throwing money down on the over-under for game-time temperature, whether the national anthem will be butchered, or how many times Peyton Manning will say “Omaha”?
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Yes. Welcome to the world of “prop bets.” All of these (and much more more!) are real bets that you can make this week: Prop Bets for Super Bowl XVLIII (Now with 75% MORE downright silliness)
Lucky you!
This is essentially the real world equivalent of Clark Griswold walking into that seedy “downtown” casino in Las Vegas Vacation, and playing “Pick a Number Between 1 and 10,” “Coin Toss,” and “Guess Which Hand.” It didn’t go so well.
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But still. Its fun. So, without further adieu, here are The Picks:
(Editor’s Note: Michael Kasdan is terrible – and that’s being generous – prognosticator of football-related events. His picks are not to be relied on for accuracy under any circumstances.)
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Will it snow during the game?
Yes +300 (3/1) — I don’t check the weather report as a rule, but damn its cold. And its winter. So, we’re going with yes.
No -500 (1/5)
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – If Renee Fleming wears gloves when she starts singing US National Anthem what color will they be?
White 5/4 — White gloves look nice.
Black 3/2
Red 4/1
Any Other Color 3/1
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Will Knowshon Moreno cry during the singing of the National Anthem?
Yes +400 (4/1) — Moreno is known to be emotional. And what’s more emotional than making the Super Bowl?
No -700 (1/7)
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – How many times will Peyton Manning say “Omaha” during the game?
Over/Under 27½ — He says “Omaha” a lot. He even has a sponsorship from the city of Omaha and Omaha Steaks. Gotta take the over.
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Who will be seen first on TV after kickoff?
Erin Andrews -140 (5/7) — Toss-up. We’re going with Erin.
Pam Oliver EVEN (1/1)
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Will Michael Crabtree mention Richard Sherman in a tweet during the Super Bowl from kickoff until final whistle?
Yes +150 (3/2)
No -200 (1/2) — You can now bet on what a person not playing in the game will Tweet about. Wow.
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – How many times will “Beast Mode” be said during the game?
Over/Under 2 — It’s fun to say “Beast Mode.” And Marshawn Lynch will be a bell-cow running back.
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Will the announcers say the word “Marijuana” during the game?
Yes +550 (11/2)
No -900 (1/9) — The Super Bowl is a face-off between two states that legalized. Coincidence? I’m probably wrong here.
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – What will Bruno Mars be wearing on his head at the start of his Half Time performance?
Fedora 2/3
No hat 2/1
Fur Hat 5/1 — Likely to be cold, so a hat is a good choice. Fedora seems played out. Don’t know that a Tuque is.
Tuque 8/1
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Will Richard Sherman be interviewed on field after the game by Erin Andrews on the live FOX broadcast and shown on TV?
Yes -110 — Going all-in on Erin Andrews. Andrews-Sherman II is a ratings magnet. Book it.
No -110
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – What Color will the Gatorade (or liquid) be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?
Clear/Water 2/1
Orange 3/1
Yellow 3/1 — Going with the original. The classic.
Red 5/1
Blue 7/1
Green 10/1
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Will Richard Sherman receive a taunting penalty in the game?
Yes +400 (4/1)
No -700 (1/7) — Enough already!
Total Rushing Yards – Marshawn Lynch (SEA)
Over/Under 87½ — Beast Mode!
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – Player to score the first TD in the game?
Marshawn Lynch (SEA) RB 5/1
Knowshon Moreno (DEN) RB 17/2
Demaryius Thomas (DEN) WR 9/1
Wes Welker (DEN) WR 9/1 — Have a feeling.
Eric Decker (DEN) WR 9/1
Percy Harvin (SEA) WR 10/1
Golden Tate (SEA) WR 12/1
Julius Thomas (DEN) TE 12/1
Russell Wilson (SEA) QB 14/1
Doug Baldwin (SEA) WR 14/1
Peyton Manning (DEN) QB 40/1
Field 6/1
No TD scored in the game 66/1
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – What will be higher?
Gold Medals by the USA in the 2014 Sochi Olympics +120 (6/5) — Feeling patriotic. Despite those terrible sweater-outfits.
First Half Total Points by the Broncos -150 (2/3)
SUPER BOWL XLVIII SPECIALS – What will be higher?
Jimmie Johnson finishing position in the Daytona 500 -110 — Don’t know much about racing cars, but JJ is money.
Total Yards on Peyton Manning 1st Completion -110
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(Photo Credit – Associated Press/Frank Schwab)