Ricky Dimon
NFL
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No game in American sports inspires more betting than the Super Bowl. It isn’t simply that a ton of eyeballs on this event; it’s also that the sportsbooks do an incredible job of enticing people to make wagers. How do they manage to accomplish that feat? They do it with specials and odds boosts, of course. It isn’t often that you can bet the outcome of one sport against the outcome of an entirely different one. Here, you can. But if those don’t pique your interest, you can also make more standard Super Bowl bets with the value inflated by an increase in the odds.
Let’s take a look at some of those options for Sunday’s festivities.
Specials
Aces by Novak Djokovic in round one of the Australian Open (-110) vs. Punts in the Super Bowl (-110)
Djokovic probably won’t play more than three sets against Jeremy Chardy in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, but I still like his side of this bet. Punts may be few and far between for offenses led by Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
Assists by LaMelo Ball against Washington (-112) vs. Chris Godwin receptions (-112)
The over/underd for Godwin’s receptions is 5.5. Ball, who went wild with 34 points, eight dimes, and four boards on Friday against Utah, is averaging 6.0 assists per game. Given how little defense the Wizards play, the No. 3 overall pick should be in line for another big day at the office.
Goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Crotone (-112) vs. Travis Kelce touchdowns (-112)
Kelce is a considerable favorite to score at least one touchdown on Sunday. It’s not out of the question that Kansas City’s star tight end could find the endzone multiple times. Zlatan has scored 12 goals through 10 matches for AC Milan during the 2020-21 Serie A campaign. However, he has found the back of the net only twice in the last four outings. On the bright side for Zlatan, Crotone is dead last on the league table and has surrendered a league-worst 46 goals.
Flyers vs. Capitals total goals (-106) vs. Total touchdowns scored (-118)
Six goals will be the expected number for Sunday’s date between the Flyers and Capitals. With the total at 56 for Super Bowl LV, either six touchdowns and a fair amount of field goals or seven touchdowns and just a couple of field goals is the expected result on the gridiron. This is a tough one.
Odds Boosts
First scoring play of the game to be a Chiefs touchdown (+160 to +190)
Incredibly, Brady-led teams have scored three total points in the first quarter of Super Bowls. That’s right; three points in nine games. That is one reason to like Kansas City’s chances of scoring first. But the Chiefs’ red-zone offense isn’t great, so a Harrison Butker field goal may be more likely than a TD.
Over 13.5 total points to be scored in the first quarter (+120 to +150)
Obviously 14 points in a quarter would be right on pace to it the total on the number. Brady’s history of first-quarter struggles explains why you can get this prop well above plus money.
Patrick Mahomes 300+ passing yards and 3+ passing touchdowns (+150 to +190)
At +190, this is an intriguing play. We already know Mahomes is capable of rising to the occasion on the biggest stage, as he is the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Tampa Bay also boasts an awesome run defense, which means the 2018 NFL MVP is going to be tasked with carrying the load for his offense.
Promotions
Want more Super Bowl Predictions? Be sure to check out our free, expert Super Bowl Parlay page.
