This year before the Super Bowl betting odds go final, we have another game to make some NFL picks on: The Pro Bowl. This year instead of in its traditional Hawaii locale and date, a week after the Super Bowl, the game will be held the week before the big game in Miami, where the Colts will face the Saints the following week.
This decision to move the game has received some backlash as there are an all-time high amount of players (31 and counting) not participating. The previous high-water mark for players skipping the game for injuries or skiing/fishing trips was 17. A big contributor to this is the fact that 14 pro bowlers are actually in the Super Bowl and will not play in this game (including both teams’ starting quarterbacks; Drew Brees and MVP Peyton Manning). The losers of the Championship games, the Vikings and Jets, have players declining to play (Brett Favre, Sidney Rice, Kevin Williams and Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin) as well. On top of that, many have criticized the AFC’s choices for replacement quarterbacks as David Garrard was inexplicably named to the game and Vince Young, who only played for a half a season, was also added to the roster.
The whole point of the move was to boost the game’s non-existent television ratings. Commissioner Roger Goodell theorized that more people will watch a game during the season as opposed to after it will bring more viewers. He has ended up with a game with all-stars and just plain good players. Even with all of its issues, it will still be better than watching the Lions or the Rams.
Betting Tips: This game will provide for some exciting plays with light hitting and high scoring while getting more than your usual dose of sideline reporters .To keep this game interesting I suggest playing some prop bets every quarter, or for as many quarters as you want to watch. Since there are many different players rotating in and out, there will be some lucrative odds out there as well as your usual coin-toss style prop bets. Some of the prop bets don’t have to even include the game.
Here are some fun props for the Pro Bowl and some predictions:
How many times will Drew Brees and Peyton Manning be shown on the sidelines? (14)
How many trick plays (reverses, flea flickers, RB-option passes, fake punts, etc.) (8)
How many plays will be ran out of the Wildcat? (6)
Who will throw for the most yards? (Aaron Rodgers)
Who will run for the most yards? (Chris Johnson)
Will Adrian Peterson fumble? (Yes, if he plays)
Will Darrelle Revis have an interception? (Yes, if he plays)
How many shots will there be of nice-weather and people partying making me jealous? (142)
How many total touchdowns will there be? (9)
Who will be Pro Bowl MVP? (Chris Johnson)
There has been plenty of activity in the sportsbook due to the many roster changes and the spread now sits at NFC -2 with the total at 56.5. I think the AFC has the best player in the game, Offensive Player of the Year, Chris Johnson and I like him to run wild in this one like he did all season.
Final: AFC 38- NFC 28
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