Super Bowl 45 Betting – The Best Props Of Super Bowl XLV

Sports betting players know that half of the fun when it comes to Super Bowl betting comes from all of the props available for the big game, and this year is no exception as there is a full slate of pregame, postgame and game props at your wagering disposal. Here is a look at the top five game props to check out, and a special bonus.

First Touchdown Of The Game – Steelers Packers Betting

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall (+500) is favored to score the first major of the game, just ahead of the Green Bay Packers’ Greg Jennings (+600) and teammate Mike Wallace (+650). The Steelers may look to get Mendenhall going early, especially if they can make a quick trip to the red zone. The last thing in the world they would want to do is to commit an early turnover, so Mendenhall is a solid bet, although if the Steelers (who we think will also score first) end up throwing the ball, don’t sleep on Hines Ward (+1000). Ben Roethlisberger looks to his veteran receiver in the red zone, so he’s worth a bet as well.

Largest Lead Of The Game – Steelers Packers Betting

This is an interesting stat because it’s been stated that the Packers have yet to trail a team by more than seven points throughout this entire season, which is a testament to their character and ability to shake off a bad play, or a touchdown scored by the other team. An over of 13.5 points is rated at -135, while the under is listed at +105, and we think there is a definite possibility of the Packers finally being down by 10-13 points at some point, probably early. Nerves could play a factor as they have one player with a ring, John Kuhn, and he played on the Steelers’ practice roster in 2005. They also have only three players who have played in a Super Bowl.

Sacks – Steelers Packers Betting

These two teams led the regular season in sacks during the regular season, so it’s no surprise that it’s rated at -150 to go over a total of five sacks for both squads, while NFL betting players will see a listing of +120 for the under. With the likes of Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji in Green Bay, and James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley lining up for Pittsburgh, it’s pretty safe to say that should go over the total, especially since neither team has a particularly good offensive line and the quarterbacks can only scramble for so long. But the thing that Roethlisberger and Green Bay counterpart Aaron Rodgers have to worry about where the blitz is coming from, as both teams in their zone-blitz scheme will bring the rush from all over the place, with anyone on the field.

Quarter With The Most Points – Steelers Packers Betting

The second quarter is favored to yield to the most points with Super Bowl betting odds of +165, which sounds right as the Packers start to come into the game after their nerves settle down. Neither team will want to go into the dressing room down by much at halftime, if at all, so the second quarter is a solid bet, although the backup choice would be the fourth quarter at +220 when both teams are scrambling to put up as many points as possible. Either they’re behind and trying to come back, or attempting to salt the game away, and a defense that is behind in the game is willing to take more risks, which means the offense can hit them with a big play.

Quarterback Who Throws The First Touchdown – Steelers Packers Betting

The focus of this Sunday’s game will obviously be on the quarterbacks, Roethlisberger and Rodgers, who is favored at -165 to throw the first touchdown of the game while Roethlisberger comes in at +135. The Packers have gotten more production out of their ground game in the playoffs, but James Starks is still a rookie and the Packers may not trust him down by the goal line. If the Packers do score first, it’ll either be a run by John Kuhn, or a run or pass from Rodgers, who can definitely get out of the pocket and do some damage, although Green Bay would rather he didn’t as he’s suffered two concussions this season. Rodgers has rushing touchdowns in each of the last two games, so it’s a definite possibility.

Bonus – National Anthem

This year’s anthem will be sung by Christina Aguilera, and it’s favored at -140 that she’ll make the anthem last longer than 1:54, while the under comes in at even odds. Now, there is a backstory to this as Aguilera also did the honors at Game 7 of the NBA Finals between Boston and the Lakers in Los Angeles back in June, and that lasted 1:54, which is how they got that total. We’re still sticking with the over (remember, it’s from first note to last note) as the Super Bowl is a bigger occasion, and other performers such as Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks have sung the anthem longer than usual. With Aguilera’s vocal range and flair for the dramatic, we’re sticking with the over in our online betting book.