Traina Thoughts: Cross-Sport Props Highlight Some Of The More Fun Bets Offered On Super Bowl LII
1. William Hill sportsbook in Las Vegas released 948 Super Bowl LII prop bets last night. Out of all of those, the single most fascinating wager offered comes on the "Exact number of points" prop for each team. Every number from 0 to 49 is there for you to bet, including 1. Yes, you can bet on whether the Patriots or Eagles will score 1 point in the game with the odds being +9900. Who knew a team scoring 1 point was even possible? But it is.
As for some of the other bets offered, there are some great cross-sport props as well as your standard fare. Here is a sampling of both.
Jersey number of first touchdown scorer
1-12: 12/1
13-20: 5/2
21-30: 9/2
31-79: 5/2
80-99: 5/2
No TD scored in game 150/1
*My take: Go 21-30. In addition to winning on a rushing touchdown, you can cash out if a RB catches a TD or if a DB can return a pick or fumble.
First accepted penalty
False start: 7/2
Offside/encroachment/neutral zone: 3/1
Holding: 3/1
Pass interference: 6/1
Delay of game: 15/1
Illegal block: 5/1
Any other penalty: 3/1
No penalty in game: 75/1
*My take: I like the value on pass interference since these teams like to throw.
Will a team use all six time out in regulation
Yes -130
No +110
* My take: I think the game will be close, so I would pound Yes -130.
NOTABLE CROSS-SPORT PROPS
Stephen Curry 3-point field goals
Alshon Jeffery receptions: Pick 'em
Kevin Durant points: -120
Tom Brady completions: PK Even
Kyrie Irving points
Rob Gronkowski longest receptions: -1/2
Celtics 3 point field goals: +110
Dion Lewis rushing attempts: -1/2 -130
Vegas Golden Knights goals: Even
Patriots touchdowns: Pick 'em -120
Jordan Spieth 4th round birdies
Rob Gronkowski receptions: -1/2
2. Speaking of bets, the man who will call Super Bowl LII for NBC, Al Michaels, is the guest on this week's "Off The Board" podcast. Michaels reveals whether he's ever heard from the NFL about mentioning the point spread during games, whether he plans on leaving the booth anytime soon, his mindset for calling a Super Bowl and his love of Howard Stern and the legend of the famous O.J. Simpson prank call that Michaels was involved in.
You can listen to the podcast below or on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher.
3. In 2007, Kevin Durant was taken second overall by the Sonics after the Blazers passed him up with the first pick to select Greg Oden. Durant joked about this last night after he was picked first by LeBron James for the All-Star Game.
The Blazers responded accordingly.
4. This is why the NBA on TNT is great. No other sports show would do this.
5. Sometimes in life, you just need a little Kevin Harlan.
6. The post Super-Bowl show next Sunday will be This Is Us. The NBC drama is getting the coveted time slot at a great time because after this week's episode, the show is currenty involved in a Crock Pot controversy.
7. RANDOM WRESTLING VIDEO OF THE DAY: The Royal Rumble is this Sunday. My favorite Rumble moment came in 2005 when John Cena and Batista hit the ground at the same time (not scripted), forcing Vince McMahon to come out to restart the match (not scripted), but Vince blew out his quad (not scripted) while running to the ring.
The best of the Internet, plus musings by SI.com writer, Jimmy Traina. Get the link to a new Traina's Thoughts each day by following on Twitter and liking on Facebook. Catch up on previous editions of Traina Thoughts. And check Jimmy Traina's weekly podcast, "Off The Board," on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher.
BONUS ITEM: SI's Richard Deitsch reported this morning that ESPN's Jemele Hill is leaving SportsCenter while remaining at the network. I was only off by one month in my predicition.