Super Bowl Prop Bets

First some goofy stuff:

Length of Time it Take Carrie Underwood to Sing the National Anthem
Over/Under - 1:42 (One minute, forty-two seconds)

Gabe: Under - If this had been an R&B singer or a soul singer I would have easily taken the over. Underwood will have some melisma to her singing, but not much.

Dave: Over - Everyone over-sings on the big stage. Whitney Houston did it. Jennifer Hudson did it, and while Underwood doesn't have the pipes like Whitney or Hudson, you can't blame her for trying(Side note: If Joe Buck was covering this game, I would have put an over/under of 2.5 for the number of Tony Romo jokes he attempts after the national anthem. Luckily, we've been spared.)

Coin Flip
Heads or Tails

Gabe: Heads - Because why the hell not?

Dave: Tails - Because it never fails.

Number of Times the Manning Luxury Box is Appears Onscreen
Over/Under 5.5

Gabe: Over - I think they are going to go to the box everytime there is a critical play. I think the game is going to be tight at the end, so they are going to be showing the box after almost every play.

Dave: Under - With so much focus on replays, analysis plus more time given to the pricey Super Bowl commercials, I just don't think there will be enough time to go to the Manning box more than 5 times. Maybe if Peyton was facing Eli in New Orleans, but not here. I say they go to Archie and company probably twice.

Number of Times Former Colts Coach Tony Dungy Appears Onscreen
Over/Under 2.5

Gabe: Under - I think they go to Dungy once, maybe twice.

Dave: Under - I agree with Gabe. They'll go to Dungy early for his "not gonna be close" quote a few days ago and then once again depending on the score, but that's it.

Number of Times Kim Kardashian is Appears Onscreen
Over/Under 4.5

Gabe: Under - This depends on the number of Reggie Bush touchdowns. I think she is shown once just because and then once more after each big play Bush makes. I put that total at 4.

Dave: Under - This is dependent on Reggie Bush being a factor, and I don't see that happening. Plus, like I said before, there isn't enough free time for a Kim K/Archie/Dungy pan-around-a-thon.

Jersey Number of the MVP
Over/Under - 18.5

Gabe: Under - This prop comes down to this...if you take the under you are betting on either Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, or Austin Collie winning the MVP. Taking the over means you think anyone else will win, essentially. Recent history has shown the award will go to either a quarterback or wide receiver. Look at the five names I mentioned...two quarterbacks and three receivers.

Dave: Over - My money's on Pierre Garcon.

Now some actual on the field stuff:

Yardage of the shortest touchdown
Over/Under - 1.5 yards

Gabe: Under - I'm counting on either a goal-line dive or a turnover recovered in the endzone for this under, but I think it will happen. The offenses are too good. Yes there will probably be a few long TD's, but how does this grab you? A pass interference penalty against Marques Colston in the endzone puts the ball on the one and Reggie Bush or Pierre Thomas dive for a one yard TD. I'll take it.


Dave: Over - I don't see anyone getting that close to the goalline. If it's not a long score, it will be a 5 or 8 yard slant.

First to score:
Gabe: Saints


Dave: Colts - See Halftime of the AFC Championship. The Colts strike quicker than Michael Irvin on NFL Network secretary.

Last to score:

Gabe: Saints


Dave: Saints - Garbage time TD. Like Dungy, I don't think this will be close.

Yards Passing for Drew Brees
Over/Under - 300.5

Gabe: Over - I think Brees will outplay Manning on the stat sheet. The only way the Saints are going to win is if they have a big game out of Brees and their offense.


Dave: Under - Brees hasn't had a 300-yard game since Week 13 against Washington. Sean Payton is going to want some balance on O to keep the Colts D honest. I say Brees gets to about 260. That's it.

Yards Passing for Peyton Manning
Over/Under - 300.5

Gabe: Over - Again, I'm counting on a shoot out.


Dave - Over - Peyton could get 300 yards blindfolded, in a port-a-potty taking a shit with dobermans on top of him.

Total Passing TDs for Both QBs
Over/Under 4.5

Gabe: Over - I think either touchdowns will be scored total, five through the air.

Dave: Over - I like Brees for 2, Manning for 3.


Total Yards for Reggie Bush
Over/Under 125.5

Gabe: Under - The only way this goes over is if he has big punt return yardage, and I don't think there will be many punts in this game.


Dave: Under - Reggie Bush is Yiddish for "non-factor".

Combined Receiving Yards for Reggie Wayne/Dallas Clark
Over/Under 150.5

Gabe: Under - Last week the Jets focused on these two and Garcon and Collie torched them. Manning will spread the ball around.


Dave: Under - Every Super Bowl has that one improbable star, whether its Larry Brown, Dexter Jackson, Deion Branch, David Tyree or Mike Jones. This year, I think Pierre Garcon does it for Haiti.

Combined Receiving Yards for Marques Colston/Jeremy Shockey
Over/Under 150.5

Gabe: Over - But, barely. I see Colston getting 90 yards and Shockey getting about 65 or 70.


Dave: Under - Again, I'm not seeing a HUGE passing day from Brees and if Brees does connect, some of it will go to Devery Henderson and Lance Moore.

Combined Rushing TDs for Both Teams
Over/Under 2.5

Gabe: Over - Like I said before, three td's on the ground.


Dave: Over - I like the Saints for 2, Colts for 1.

Sacks for Dwight Freeney
Over/Under 1.5

Gabe: Under - He is too hurt. He won't be a factor.

Dave: Over - Remember DeMarcus Ware getting to Drew Brees with a neck stinger for the Saints' first loss? This is the redux.

Sacks for Any Other Individual Defensive Player
Over/Under 2.5

Gabe: Under - I think any defensive player getting two is a stretch.

Dave: Under - Robert Mathis might get to two, but nobody else is coming close.

Combined Total of Turnovers for Both Teams
Over/Under 3.5

Gabe: Under - These teams control the ball too well. The only thing that might change this is if the Saints defense can cause some havoc, but I don't think it will happen.


Dave: Under - Unless one of these guys implodes or an injury forces in Curtis Painter or Mark Brunell into the lineup.

Combined Total of Defensive/Special Team TDs for Both Teams
Over/Under 1.5

Gabe: Under - Not gonna happen. Maybe one, but I doubt it.

Dave: Over - Would it surprise me if Sharper pulls a Dexter Jackson? No. No, it wouldn't.

Interceptions for Darren Sharper

Over/Under 1.5

Gabe: Under - He might get one. The Saints D is more likely to cause fumbles.

Dave: Over - Again, if anyone can do it, he can.

Jersey Number of Player Scoring Game's 1st TD
Over/Under 25.5

Gabe: Under - All of the Saints offensive ball handlers wear jersey numbers under 26. I think the Saints are going to get the ball first and score first...nuff said.


Dave: Over - Could be Wayne. Could be Clark. Will be Garcon.

Longest Field Goal
Over/Under - 44.5 yards

Gabe: Under - I think the offenses are too good. They will be able to move the ball deep into each other's territory.

Dave: Over - Garrett Hartley....from 47. Lock it up.