For most casual bettors there’s rarely a great reason to start placing wagers on the Super Bowl during the bye week before the game.
There’s just too much uncertainty surrounding injuries, matchups, scouting and whatever bulletin board material pops up during pregame media sessions. Plus it can help to wait to see where the lines settle before fully committing to a side.
But that type of restraint is harder than ever now with major sportsbooks pumping out all types of props and specials to entice bettors to get in on the action early.
So let us take the temptation out of the equation for now. After combing through the props across the board, here’s are the specials that have our attention.
Notable props at FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars
Noteworthy BetMGM Props
If you guessed the Eagles and Chiefs combined for 10 different players with rushing attempts across the AFC and NFC title games, great job.
The First Quarter Over was on an absolute tear before Championship Sunday. It hit in all but two playoff games—Buccaneers-Cowboys and 49ers-Cowboys—then failed to cash in both the NFC and AFC title games.
Yet there have been at least 10 points scored in the first quarter during five of the last seven Super Bowl games, including a 7-3 score after the first quarter in each of the last three. Remember that nugget for later.
This works as a solid hedge in case a trick play gets everything right except for a touchdown.
Caesars Props
- Last Play Of Game A QB Rush? (No +200)
If you think this game is going down to the wire, there’s no reason not to add a little here. The only issue is that some books will offer “last play of game kneel-down” and the “QB Rush” aspect puts this into a bit of a grey area.
- Defensive Player To Score An Offensive Touchdown (Yes +2000)
It’s only happened three times (Mike Vrabel has two, William Perry has one), but if you want to honor the Super Bowl prop that kicked off the whole craze, this is the best way.
FanDuel Props
- Miles Sanders to Score the 1st Eagles TD and Travis Kelce to Score the 1st Chiefs TD (+1800)
Miles Sanders’ two-touchdown performance in the NFC title game makes his props noteworthy here because it seems he’s always getting a chance to score whenever Philly gets near the goal line. The tailback led the team in red zone opportunities (49 targets+carries) and because this prop doesn’t specify the need for a rushing or receiving touchdown, there’s a bit more wiggle room.
There’s not much else to say about the Kelce-Mahomes connection that hasn’t already been mentioned.
- Isiah Pacheco, Patrick Mahomes and Jerrick McKinnon to Combine for 100+ Rushing Yds (+100)
At face value, 100 rushing yards combined doesn’t seem like a big ask, just be careful here. Plenty of bettors still have nightmares over the bad beat on Mahomes’ rushing prop in Super Bowl LIV
🗓 3 years ago today…
Patrick Mahomes SB54 Rush Yards (O/U 29.5 to 35.5)
He took three QB kneels of 3, 5, and 7 yards to end the game.
44 rushing yards ➡️ 29 rushing yards 🤮pic.twitter.com/EiRaQlmcNr
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) February 2, 2023
- Any Non-QB to have 1+ Passing TD (+2000)
Philly Special, anyone? A flier at +2000 might be worth it considering an uptick in trick plays attempted during the Super Bowl in the last five years.
- Both Chris Jones and Haason Reddick to Record 2+ Sacks Each (+3500)
Both of these players are absolute menaces on defense—each had two sacks in their respective conference title game. While the Eagles and Chiefs have better offensive lines than the opponents they faced to reach the Super Bowl, the frequency with which Mahomes and Jalen Hurts break out of the pocket make this line intriguing.
DraftKings Props
- Any Defensive Player to Have 1+ Solo Sack & 1+ Interception (+1000)
If these odds get longer, it’s worth a shot considering how dominant these defenses have been. The Eagles and Chiefs earned the most and second-most sacks, respectively, this season with Philly totaling the sixth-most interceptions.
- DK Squares Any Quarter, PHI Eagles 7:3 KC Chiefs (+600) or PHI Eagles 3:7 KC Chiefs (+650)
Especially if you can’t find a squares pool to join, DK’s version is the way to go. Considering the last three Super Bowl games have seen the first quarter end in a 7-3 score, these odds could be much worse.
