Great value, big money can be found in Super Bowl XLIII props

Super Bowl betting: props can add plenty of excitement to Super Sunday

Super Bowl betting is the main topic of conversation nowadays and, with just over a week before the big game kicks off, let’s take a look at some Super Bowl XLII props that offer value:

Number of Steelers To Have A Reception: Under 6.5 -110

Pittsburgh has morphed into a passing offense since its last Super Bowl appearance. Its top target is Hines Ward, but he’s a bit banged up and the Steelers spread the ball around anyways. But even so, the Steelers don’t usually use more than six receivers.

In their last five games, the Steelers have gone over this number just once. By the percentages, this is a good value play.

Defense To Record Their First Sack: Pittsburgh Steelers +100

This is a simple one. The Steelers had 51 sacks in the NFL this season, which was the highest total in the AFC and the second-highest total overall. More importantly, the Cardinals are a passing offense and the Steelers should have more opportunity to generate a sack before the Cardinals do.

You get the Steelers as an underdog in this role and this is great value. They simply don’t give up yards on the ground and once they force the Cardinals into passing, they should pick up the first sack of the game.

Game MVP Troy Polamalu: +1000

Game MVP is one of the trickier Super Bowl XLIII props to predict but, based on value, Troy Polamalu is a good play.

On offense, the Steelers are very versatile and, while Ben Roethlisberger is the team leader, he doesn’t normally put up the stats of an MVP. If the Steelers are to win this game, it’s likely that the defense will dominate and we all know Polamalu is the playmaker on that side of the ball. At 10-to-1, he’s worth a look.

Total Rushing Yards By Cardinals: Under 72.5

As mentioned above, the Cardinals are a pass-first team. In the playoffs, they have changed their tune a little bit because they know they have to show some form of balance to keep their opponents on their heels, but the Steelers won’t be fooled much.

The Steelers are the No. 2-ranked rushing defense in the NFL (allowing 80.2 yards per game) in the regular season and the Cardinals had the worst-ranked rushing offense in the NFL (averaging 73.6 yards per game). The worst rushing offense in the NFC is going up against the best rushing defense in the AFC. The math is pretty simple here.

For more insight and analysis on Super Bowl XLIII props, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge daily.

Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.