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.
