SUPER BOWL XLIII: EARLY PROPS RELEASED
The first props for Super Bowl XLIII have been released at Sportsbook.com with hundreds more to follow shortly.
For the coin flip where there’s -105 Juice on whether it will land on heads or tails and whether Pittsburgh or Arizona will win the toss.
For those looking for less luck-related props, Pittsburgh is the -150 favorite and Arizona is +120 for the Team to Score First. The Cardinals are an interesting value as their offense is very dangerous if they win the coin toss, and they will certainly test the Steelers’ secondary early with a long pass to receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Another interesting prop is the Team to Score Last. Pittsburgh is -130 here and the Cardinals are Even. This prop seems to have more value for Pittsburgh as their defense really tightens in the fourth quarter, especially if they have a small lead.
Just think back to last week in the Baltimore game when the Steelers caused three turnovers in the fourth quarter, one being the last score of the game, an interception return for a touchdown from safety Troy Polamalu.
The Over/Under in points for the Super Bowl is 46.5 and about two-thirds of the betting public thinks it will be a higher scoring game.
If you want to know how that is roughly broken down, just look at the Steelers Total Points prop and the Cardinals Total Points. Pittsburgh’s Over/Under is 27 points while it’s 20 for Arizona.
Pittsburgh is averaging 29 PPG in their two home playoff games, while Arizona is at over 31 PPG in their three warm-weather postseason games. With the Bowl being played in the warm weather of Tampa Bay, it will take another huge effort from the Pittsburgh defense to hold the Cards under 20 points.
Finally, a prop that is always very popular is the Longest Touchdown of the Game set at 44.5 yards. Both of these quarterbacks have big play ability down the field. Warner has Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin at receiver. Fitzgerald had three touchdown catches in the first half last week versus Philly, one for 62 yards.
Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes had a 65 yard touchdown reception last week and almost had another 24 yard touchdown pass. He’s the deep threat on this team and will be needed even more if Hines Ward is limited due to his injury.
Running back Willie Parker has the ability to break a long touchdown run now that he’s healthy and not going against the Ravens’ stingy defense. Arizona’s Edgerrin James has played very good lately, but he’s not the home run threat he was earlier in his career.
