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Everyone loves a good Super Bowl prop bet.
Whether you’re a die-hard Carolina Panthers looking to put your life savings on Cam Newton breaking the Super Bowl rushing record, a Denver Broncos fan hoping to see Peyton Manning cry tears of joy or a casual fan who knows what color Beyonce’s shoes are going to be, there’s a bet for you.
If you’re looking for a complete list of prop bets for Super Bowl 50, you can click here for Bovada’s full selection, courtesy of OddsShark.com.
Here’s a look at some predictions for a few of the bets:
First Scoring Play
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Touchdown: (-145)
Field Goal or Safety: (+115)
As OddsShark notes, 51 percent of the first scores in Super Bowl history have been field goals or safeties, while 49 percent have been touchdowns, so looking at it that way, it’s basically a coin flip.
However, these are both two stellar defenses. During the season, Denver finished first in yards per play allowed, while Carolina was second. Especially early in the game when everyone is still amped up, it’s easy to see either of these defenses buckling down and getting a key stop inside the red zone.
“Field goal or safety” getting the better odds only sweetens the deal.
Prediction: Field Goal or Safety
Who Will Record the Most Receiving Yards in the Game
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Note: Can click here for the full list of options
Demaryius Thomas: (+275)
Greg Olsen: (+300)
Emmanuel Sanders: (+325)
Ted Ginn Jr.: (+500)
Corey Brown: (+650)
Not only is Greg Olsen the clear-cut No. 1 option for Cam Newton—he led the team in targets, receptions and yards during the season and is coming off a 113-yard performance—but he has the most favorable matchup on the team, as the Broncos have a stout run defense and talented corners on the outside. The veteran tight end should see a ton of work in this one, and he’s shown all year he can produce when he gets the targets.
On the other side of the ball, Demaryius Thomas is expected to see a lot of shutdown corner Josh Norman. Combine that with his disappearing act so far in the postseason (six grabs for 52 yards in two games), and it’s tough to trust him.
That leaves Sanders, who will have a much easier time if he sees Robert McClain or Cortland Finnegan, but he still has an inconsistent Peyton Manning, who is averaging just 6.0 yards per attempt since Week 17 return, throwing him the ball.
Prediction: Greg Olsen
Will Cam Newton Break the Super Bowl Record of Most Rushing Yards by a QB?
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Note: The record is 64 by Steve McNair
Yes: (+275)
No: (-450)
For as gifted a runner as Newton is, he has surpassed 64 yards on the ground just twice all season. Even for perhaps the most dangerous running QB the league has ever seen, it’s just not a common occurrence.
That said, this feels like a game where Cam is going to have to make a lot of plays with his legs.
First, the Broncos have the best rushing defense in the league. Power football with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert just isn’t going to work very well, meaning Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula will have to get creative and mix in a lot of read-option stuff, which he has done with success this year.
Second, the Panthers will have to neutralize the dominant pass-rushing duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, who destroyed the Patriots last week and should have similar success against Michael Oher and Mike Remmers. A good way to do that is to get Newton out of the pocket.
Double-digit carries isn’t out of the question, and that should be enough for Cam to either break a big way or grind his way to 65 yards. It’s a big of a long-shot, but it’s also a nice potential payoff.
Prediction: Yes
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