Sunday, February 1, 2015

A Proposition for the Super Bowl



It’s Super Bowl Sunday which means it’s the best of times and the worst of times.  In the rear view mirror, a great season of big wins and upsets, revelations and disappointments.  In front of us, boring NBA basketball, three good weekends of NCAA Final Four action, hockey, and golf.  That is until the draft, training camp, fantasy prep work and the 2015 NFL season starts.

I’ve got some ideas about what is going to happen in this game, but none of them are solid.  It’s a pick ‘em game all the way around and any result will not shock me.  Yes, that means I can see a blowout either way, or the more probable result, a field goal difference somewhere near the end of the game.

That said, I can see New England having some success on the ground, using three different running backs – Shane Vereen, Legarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden to run out of any formation and just about any down and distance.   Conversely, I can see Seattle throwing against the Patriot defense, who will go eight or nine in the box to take away Seahawk running back Marshawn Lynch.   

Since it’s an even bet in Vegas, I’ll go with my heart and hope for a close game (not a far reach since all the Brady-Belichick Super Bowls have been decided by 3,3,3,3 and 4 points).  This time, it’s a late Patriot field goal to win 22-21.

But that is not even close to my favorite thing about the Super Bowl.  Proposition bets, or “props” are the most fun thing to watch on Sunday.   Here are my favorites (and predictions) for this year’s versions:

Marshawn Lynch Crotch Grab – Sitting at 4-1 odds, this is the easiest and most attainable prop bet.   I can see Lynch getting in the end zone, and if he does, it’s a practical guarantee that he’ll perform a “self-examination”.

Deflated Balls – The number of times announcers Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth say “deflated balls” is set at 2.5.  I would think that the league will want its broadcast partners to stop talking about this issue, so, unless someone gets seriously injured (or maybe Lynch squeezes too hard during his celebration), I’ll take the under.

Bill Belichick’s Hoodie Color - Gray is the favorite, while blue and red are the underdogs. Place a $100 bet on gray, and if you’re right, you win $50.  I think it’s a sucker bet – he won’t wear a hoodie.

Katy Perry’s Cleavage and Outfit – Pants are the underdog, skirt above the knees the favorite.  For the other bet, the options are none, some, or a lot.  I’m taking the chalk – short skirt and lots of skin. 

Enjoy the game, don’t drink and drive, and don’t ever eat the last chicken wing.

Just Sayin . . . 

Just to keep things in perspective, while we think everyone in the world watches the Super Bowl, there will be about 6.9 billion people who won’t care.  The UEFA World Cup, Euro Cup, Cricket Championship are all watched significantly more than the big game today.

Looking at the NHL stats in the Eastern Conference, the final eight teams seem to be well defined, but are all within eight points.  The last months will be all about gaining as much home ice advantage as possible.  

Odell Beckham, Jr. is the first Giant to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.  90 years, one OROY.  Pretty much defines the franchise known as the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew”.  But it does show that maybe, they are adapting to the new NFL.