February 01, 2016
There are a few things that go hand-in-hand with the Super Bowl. And without them, the big game doesn't just feel the same.
First, there's the party -- and all the things that go with it, like beer, food and friends. Then there's the commercials, which are always good for a laugh or two. There's the over-the-top halftime show that, for one reason or another, always seems to leave us talking. And then, of course, there's the actual game, which often finds itself taking a backseat to all the surrounding noise.
But before any of this, there's an unparrelled level of hype -- one that's only heightened due to the two weeks break between the conference title games and the Super Bowl. In addition to the down time between games, there's one more off-the-field activity that likely drives up interest more than anything else: gambling.
The Super Bowl -- like March Madness -- is only made more popular by the number of people who have money at stake.
With just two teams left playing, however, the fantasy gambling games of skill that have dominated the landscape for much of the year will give way to more traditional wagers. But some of the odds you can bet on are anything but traditional.
Below is a look at some of the best prop bets for Super Bowl 50, courtesy of onlinegambling.lv. They range from things as simple as the coin flip to things as crazy as the stadium catching on fire...and of course there are odds on what the first commercial will be, who will sing the nation anthem, and with what song Coldplay will open.
Oh, and there's also a line on whether or not Peyton Manning will be suspended for HGH use -- and it's not nearly the long shot as you might expect.
• Odds the opening coin toss comes up …
- heads: 51/49- tails: 49/51
• Odds a coach challenges a play: 9/11
• Odds a challenged play gets overturned: 3/1
• Odds the NFL switches to iPads (versus Microsoft tablets) for the Super Bowl: 12/1
• Odds on what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach:
- Yellow: 7/3
- Orange: 3/1
- Clear (including water): 4/1
- Red: 17/3
- Blue: 12/1
• Odds there is a Microsoft tablet malfunction: 9/1
• Odds there is an earthquake in San Francisco during game (at least 2.0 magnitude within 50 miles of the stadium): 56/1
• Odds the goal posts fall down: 75/1
• Odds the game gets delayed (by anything): 7/2
• Odds the power goes out in the stadium: 20/1
• Odds pyrotechnics start a fire in the stadium: 35/1
• Odds there is a brawl on the field: 5/1
• Odds there is a brawl in the stands amongst the fans: 9/2
• Odds a fan streaks the field: 40/1
• Odds a fan throws _____ on the field:
- a Broncos jersey: 25/1
- a Panthers jersey: 40/1
- a 49ers jersey: 100/1
- a burning effigy of Trent Balke: 200/1
- one of Chip Kelly’s giant signs: 75/1
• Odds someone parachutes into the stadium: 9/1
• O/U on the number of times the phrase “greatest of all-time” is said during the broadcast: 3.5
• Odds the term “born winner” is used to describe Peyton Manning or Cam Newton during the broadcast: 1/1
• Odds the term “natural leader” is used to describe Peyton Manning or Cam Newton during the broadcast: 2/1
• Odds Jim Nantz and Phil Simms get in an argument during the broadcast: 4/1
• Odds Phil Simms laughs during an interaction with sideline reporter Jay Feely: 2/1
• O/U on the length of the broadcast: 4 hours 6 minutes
• O/U on the number of times Archie and Eli Manning are shown during the broadcast: 5.5
• O/U on the number of promos for CBS shows during the broadcast: 12.5
• O/U on the number of times CBS mentions it’s the “most watched network”: 3.5
• Odds there is a halftime show sound malfunction: 12/1
• Odds there is a halftime show wardrobe malfunction: 25/1
• Odds someone catches on fire during the halftime show: 150/1
• O/U on the number of guest performers during the halftime show: 5.5
• Odds on Coldplay’s opening halftime show song:
- “Viva La Vida”: 7/3
- “Yellow”: 4/1
- “Paradise”: 17/3
- “Princess of China”: 6/1
- “Fix You”: 10/1
• Odds on Coldplay’s closing halftime show song:
- "Princess of China": 3/1
- "Yellow": 4/1
- "Viva La Vida": 4/1
- “Don’t Panic” (dedicated to the trailing team): 25/1
• Odds Coldplay gets booed during the halftime show: 6/1
• Odds someone falls off the stage during the halftime show: 14/1
• Odds on who performs the national anthem:
- Adele: 3/1
- Taylor Swift: 5/1
- Ariana Grande: 10/1
- Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera: 14/1
- Miley Cyrus: 15/1
• O/U on the length of the national anthem: 1 minute 57 seconds
• Odds the performer messes up the words to the national anthem: 8/1
• Odds on which company will air the first commercial (after the coin toss):
- Budweiser/Bud Light: 3/1
- Doritos: 5/1
- Kia: 6/1
- Butterfinger: 8/1
- LG Electronics: 8/1
• Odds on which brand will win best commercial (per USA Today’s ad meter):
- Budweiser/Bud Light: 5/2
- Shock Top Beer: 4/1
- Doritos: 5/1
- Mini Cooper: 7/1
- LG Electronics: 8/1
• Odds a player in the game is featured in a commercial:
- Peyton Manning: 1/1
- Cam Newton: 4/1
- Luke Kuechly: 10/1
- Demaryius Thomas: 15/1
- Von Miller: 25/1
• Odds a player in the game is featured in multiple commercials:
- Peyton Manning: 2/1
- Cam Newton: 10/1
- Luke Kuechly: 25/1
- Demaryius Thomas: 50//1
- Von Miller: 100/1
• Odds on who is more likely to host Saturday Night Live following the Super Bowl (win or lose):
- Cam Newton: 2/3
- Peyton Manning: 3/2
• Odds Manning is fined or suspended by the NFL for HGH use …
- before Super Bowl 50: 50/1
- at any point in time: 5/1
• Odds the HGH allegations somehow keep Manning out of Super Bowl 50: 15/1
• Odds the HGH allegations force Manning to retire: 9/1
