Best Bets for Super Bowl LI
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
(All Odds Courtesy of Bovada Sportsbook—1/28)
Betting on the Super Bowl is as American as apple pie. While us more serious football bettors don't want to give back any money we were fortunate enough to win over the season and playoffs, it's one day where you can let it hang loose a little bit and bet for more-recreational purposes. We want to keep it fun and not take a festive day like the Super Bowl and turn it into a nightmarish betting loss. But we could also hit some winners and enhance what is already a most-special day.
With this year's Super Bowl showing only a 3-point line, that tells us that both teams will have opportunities to be successful. In other words, we don't want to bet on players that overly-favor one team. With the highest total in Super Bowl history, offense is expected at a high clip, giving more juice to some of these prop bets. There's going to be a lot of action and some of these bets will be hotly-contested.
We included some of our favorite bets, but it's up to you how to structure them. For example, we like to place one bet that allows us to cover all the other bets should we win. And if we lose that one bet, we still have a slew of our other best super bowl bets that could bail us out from a losing day. Let's see what we have to work with heading into Super Bowl Sunday:
Bet: New England -3 vs. Atlanta Falcons +3
Our Picks: We like the Patriots against the spread in this game. While hardly a slam dunk, they might be one of the better recent teams in the NFL and we anticipate they will close the season in style in Super Bowl LI.
Bet: Super Bowl MVP
Our Picks: We decided to spray the board on this one, being that the odds will be long enough to justify multiple stances. Among the selections that caught our eye was Julio Jones at +1000, LeGarrette Blount at +1800, Tevin Coleman at +4000, Mohamed Sanu at +5000, Logan Ryan at +6600, and Malcom Butler, also at +6600.
Bet: Coin Toss
Our Picks: Granted, you have to be a pretty big degenerate to be up or down before the opening kickoff even ensues, but what the heck? It's the Super Bowl and if there is one day where it becomes acceptable to fringe on degenerate behavior, this would be the day. With a -105 line on either side, it's one of the better-value bets in terms of vig, though also the least-informed pick since it's really just guessing. Put us down for heads.
Bet: First Touchdown Scorer
Our Picks: We went with some common suspects with a few more-exotic picks, as well. We have Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount, both at +800. We also have Devonta Freeman at +850. We also have Danny Amendola at +2200 and Levine Toilolo at +3300. If you want, you can take "Any Other Touchdowns Scorer" at +550 and you get any offensive player not listed, in addition to any defensive player who scores first.
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Bet: Tom Brady Over or Under 2.5 Rushing Yards
Our Picks: You have to figure he will incur a few sacks, which alone could make it hard for him to get into positive numbers. In 12 games, he ran for 64 yards this season, but I look for him to be pretty shy about breaking loose with runs against a defense with this much team speed. I'm going under at -105.
Bet: Who Will Record the Most Receiving Yards in the Game?
Our Picks: Not an easy one. You figure the Patriots will cover Julio Jones with vigor, while New England can have different players step up from week-to-week with huge performances. We're going to take Julian Edelman at +200, Taylor Gabriel at +750, Mohamed Sanu at +1000, with Martellus Bennett at +1400.
Bet: Who Will Record the Most Rushing Yards in the Game?
Our Picks: It comes down to each of the teams' two top backs, with the Atlanta Falcons and Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman pitted against the New England Patriots' LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis. We're taking Blount at +150.
Bet: Will a Special Teams or Defensive TD Be Scored?
Our Picks: In a game with so much action, our hunch tells us that yes, there will be a special teams or defensive touchdown at some point in the game. It pays +180.
Others:
Exact Number of Touchdowns in the Game: 7 at +750.
Atlanta to Score a Touchdown in the First Quarter: Yes at -130.
Total Receiving Yards for Julio Jones: Under 95.5 at -105.
The First Score of the Game Will Be?: Atlanta Touchdown at +200. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet on the Super Bowl from home by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 100% sign-up bonus!
