Bet On Super Bowl – Lots of MVP Candidates in Dallas

Those who bet on Super Bowl odds will definitely be looking at the vast amount of props available, and the most popular prop will likely be the Most Valuable Player Award, where there are plenty of candidates on both sides of the ball. Here are the top contenders, and who we think will come out on top.

Bet On Super Bowl –Sunday, 6:00 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers (+130)

The Green Bay quarterback has been the postseason MVP so far, and if the Packers win, it’ll be a tremendous upset if he does. Rodgers is looking to become the 24th quarterback to win this award, and he’ll have a major say in Green Bay’s fate, given that they have a rookie at running back in James Starks, who just emerged about a month ago.

Ben Roethlisberger (+325)

Rodgers’ counterpart in Pittsburgh is going for his third Super Bowl in seven seasons, but he’s never won the Super Bowl MVP. Those doing some NFL betting online will say that Roethlisberger should have won the award in 2009, but he gets another chance and Roethlisberger has shown he can put the team on his back.

Rashard Mendenhall (+650)

Roethlisberger’s load will be substantially less if the Steelers can get Mendenhall off and running, and that would be a good thing; the burly running back has four 100-yard games this season, and the Steelers are a perfect 4-0 in that time. Some making NFL predictions think that Mendenhall is the most important factor in Pittsburgh’s success, and they’re probably not that far off.

Greg Jennings (+1200)

Much like Santonio Holmes in 2009, Jennings is in a great position because if Rodgers has a good game, Jennings will likely have a good game. Jennings may be the best receiver in the league that no one talks a lot about, but we’re sure the Steelers will be going over their gameplan to stop the versatile wide receiver who seems to get better each and every game.

Any Defensive Player (from +1200 up)

Only seven defensive players in 45 Super Bowls have won the MVP award, and this year’s candidates are led by Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu, who just won the Defensive Player of the Year award. His main challengers should be Green Bay’s Charles Woodson, who was last year’s DPOY, and Clay Matthews, who many feel should have won this year. On the Pittsburgh side joining Polamalu, James Harrison is looking to have another big Super Bowl after his 100-yard return became the longest play in the game’s history in 2009. It’s a longshot that a defensive player will actually win the award, but these are all good choices if you’re looking to make a darkhorse online sports bet.

A Look at This Year’s Super Bowl Props

The sports wagering sites love to add interest to big events such as Super Bowl 45 betting by throwing in a long list of props bets. Aside from the usual action on NFL scores each week, betting enthusiasts should check out the props bets for some fun side wagers that could result in extra winnings. This year the pay per head sportsbook experts have a long list of interesting prop bets to choose from. Here is a preview of some of the best props bets this year.

Will Aaron Rodgers Throw An Interception?

It is rare that you will find the odds on a props bet like this in favor of the quarterback avoiding an interception. The odds are -160 that Rodgers will throw an interception, and +130 that he will not. Considering the fact that safety Troy Polamalu will be wandering the secondary causing a long list of problems for Rodgers, the chances are very good that Aaron Rodgers will throw at least one interception in Super Bowl XLV.

Will Rashard Mendenhall Score A Touchdown?

Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the Steelers two playoff games this year. He also has at least one touchdown in 11 of the Steelers 16 regular season games. The odds that Mendenhall will score a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV are -170 and the odds that he will not are +140. Go with the odds on this one. The Steelers will turn to Mendenhall a lot to move the ball in this game, and he will score at least one touchdown in Super Bowl XLV.

Will Hines Ward Score A Touchdown?

The odds are +155 that Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward will score a touchdown and -190 that he will not. The odds are stacked against Ward because he has been all but invisible in these playoffs. Ward has a total of 39 receiving yards in the playoffs, but he does have one touchdown. In 2005, Hines Ward was a major component of the Steelers win in Super Bowl Xl over Seattle. But in 2008, Ward only had 43 receiving yards against the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers will find ways to hide Hines Ward in the secondary, and that means no touchdowns for Hines Ward in Super Bowl XLV.

Will Mike Wallace Score A Touchdown?

Pittsburgh wide receiver Mike Wallace is only in his second year in the NFL. The kid is young and had an outstanding regular season. But in the playoffs, he has been shut down. The odds that Mike Wallace will score a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV are +120, and the odds that he will not are -150. Wallace is due. He is too explosive to be kept in check for the entire playoffs. In the 2010 post-season, Wallace has a grand total of 26 receiving yards. Look for Wallace to break out of his slump and put a touchdown on the board in Super Bowl XLV.

NFL Pro Bowl Preview: Some Interesting Matchups to Watch

Not even the best online sportsbook makers are going to give much of an NFL betting line on this year’s Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl is more for people who enjoy watching certain kinds of match-ups in football than for the people who watch the Super Bowl betting lines closely. This game features some interesting match-ups, especially defensive backs versus wide receivers. The price per head betting experts may not put a lot of stock into the Pro Bowl, but there are a few match-ups that football fans will find exciting as the game plays out.

AFC Quarterbacks Versus NFC Secondary

Tom Brady (New England), Peyton Manning (Indianapolis) and Philip Rivers (San Diego) will be throwing the ball for the AFC. The three quarterbacks combined for 13, 310 yards and 99 touchdowns this season. These three quarterbacks are three of the most prolific quarterbacks in the game right now. They will be throwing to receivers such as Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis) and Andre Johnson (Houston). This group is a potent offensive bunch.

The NFC starting secondary consists of cornerbacks Asante Samuel (Philadelphia) and DeAngelo Hall (Washington). Just those two players alone are responsible for 13 regular season interceptions. DeAngelo Hall as a pick six to his credit as well. Watching this NFC secondary trying to outsmart the AFC receivers and quarterbacks should be very interesting.

AFC Running Backs Versus NFC Running Backs

The AFC running backs are Maurice Jones-Drew (starter – Jacksonville), Arian Foster (reserve – Houston) and Jamaal Charles (reserve – Kansas City). Once again, these three AFC players are some of the most prolific in the game. The trio combined for 4,407 rushing yards in 2010. Foster and Charles are one and two on the overall rushing leader’s list for the 2010 regular season with Jones-Drew coming in at number five. Needless to say, this trio of wide receivers would be a challenge for any group of linebackers.

The inside starting linebacker for the NFC is Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers). Willis finished the season with 101 solo tackles and 27 assisted tackles. He forced two fumbles in 2010 that were recovered by San Francisco. Lance Briggs (Chicago) and DeMarcus Ware (Dallas) are the outside linebackers. While the Pro Bowl is not known for its hard hitting action, these three linebackers are well known for the aggressive way they play the game. It will be fun to watch the AFC running backs trying to navigate their way through this linebacking corps of the NFC.

Shane Lechler Versus Devin Hester

Shane Lechler is the all-pro punter for the Oakland Raiders that will be starting for the AFC in this Pro Bowl. Devin Hester (Chicago) is one of the best punt returners in the history of the NFL, and he will be starting for the NFC as the kick returner. Will Lechler kick it to Hester and allow Hester to put on a show in the pro bowl? Will Lechler refuse to be embarrassed by Hester in the Pro Bowl? It will be interesting to see if the rule of not kicking the ball to Devin Hester applies to the Pro Bowl as well.