Each year, the NFL’s climax becomes more and more of a spectacle in spite of itself. The growing acceptance of sports betting has caused plenty of growth in what was a niche industry, elevating the ever-interesting prop bet.
Whether it be something simple like an over-under on the length of the national anthem or something more exotic like whether or not any player ends with exactly 69 yards, there is something for everyone to root for. Here are a few of the best props I could find in terms of entertainment (not investment) value.
Anytime touchdown scorer – Kyle Juszczyk (+500) and Anthony Sherman (+800).
This is an easy one. Football is exponentially more fun when it’s weird and fullbacks with a meaningful role in the offense almost always make things weird.
Add in the fact that the head coaches Kyle Shanahan for the San Fransisco 49ers and Andy Reid for the Kansas City Chiefs are some of the most creative offensive minds in the game, rooting for the oft-forgotten fullbacks of either team to score a touchdown is both an entertaining and possibly productive endeavor.
If a fan runs on the field, who will tackle it first – Another fan (+650).
Given the special atmosphere that comes with a Super Bowl hosted in Miami, all possibilities are on the table for fan debauchery.
Yes, the NFL banned tailgating at Super Bowl 2020, but I still believe in the dedication of fans to get rowdy and risky.
A fan running on the field is a glorious gift by itself, but the thought of a righteous (and equally misguided) second fan taking it upon themselves to enact some form of justice would be infinitely more memorable and entertaining than anything the game itself could offer.
Jennifer Lopez does a Selena cover during the halftime show (+225)
Again, this one is a slam dunk to root for. Lopez’s career was first catapulted by her portrayal of the late Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 film “Selena,” and Lopez’s constant stardom in the ensuing years would be difficult to imagine without this first step.
Add in Selena’s continuing cultural impact with a forthcoming Netflix series due to release this year along with the 25th anniversary of her death, and there is plenty of reason to pay tribute to one of the first truly mainstream Latin artists that paved the way for acts like Lopez and co-headliner Shakira.
At least 3.5 commercials will feature a dog (-135)
At this point in our social media existence, I wouldn’t be surprised if every advertising pitch considering the Super Bowl started with some form of dog-focused approach.
There are no true one-size-fits-all tricks that can get all 100 million viewers to remain focused during breaks in the action, but those that include some puppy or rescue are usually the safest bets.
I personally have trouble maintaining composure whenever I see the 2015 Anheuser-Busch commercial that features a cross-species bond between a golden retriever and Clydesdale that could warm even the Grinch’s heart. If you can’t bring yourself to root for a team, at least root for as many dogs as possible.
If you only want to root for dogs, Animal Planet is also running the 16th edition of the “Puppy Bowl” on the same day to highlight shelter dogs that are up for adoption.
With an expected $6.8 billion wagered on this year’s big game, there’s no shortage of money on the line in increasingly bizarre bets.
Whether you choose to add your change to the pot or simply need an imaginary interest, there’s something entertaining to be found for all on Super Bowl Sunday.
Jonah Baker can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @jonahpbaker