Eye Catching Bets
Betting Corner
by Graeme Young
February 4th 2012
 
Betting Corner Super Bowl Special
 
Hello all and welcome to the Super Bowl edition of the Betting Corner. The New England Patriots from the AFC will lock horns with the NFC’s New York Giants in which will no doubt be a pulsating contest between two teams who clashed 4 years in Arizona. This time the pair meet in Indianapolis. The Giants beat the Patriots four years ago but a lot has changed since then. The Giants were also victorious in Week 9 of the regular season this year and maybe that game will be a better barometer to judge these two teams. The Patriots won four more games in the regular season but the Giants have really risen to the challenge come playoff time. Tom Brady will hope his all world tight end Rob Gronkowski will be able to make a significant impact despite nursing a high ankle sprain. Eli Manning and the Giants will have two extra offensive weapons that they did not have in the first meeting, in the shape of running back Ahmad Bradshaw and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. Let’s get right into my best bets for the Super Bowl.
 
Eye Catching Bets
 
Either QB to throw for more than 414 yards – 4/1
I think this one has a great chance of happening. This season has been the year of the passer in the NFL and it would be fitting if Kurt Warner’s record went in this game. Sentiment is not the reason that this record will be broken, it will be because of the array of receiving options these two great quarterbacks possess. With the fact you have both Manning and Brady in this bet it really adds value to the 4/1 bet.
 
Longest Catch for Victor Cruz to be over 27.5 yards – 10/11
Will the playmaker make the big play? Victor Cruz burst on to the scene last pre-season and after a bad injury has been a man possessed this season. There really are not many players like Cruz in the NFL. He has the ability to be a great possession receiver in the slot for Manning then the next play he is taken the ball to the house after evading several defenders. I think Victor Cruz has at least one big play in him and at 10/11 I would be feeling pretty comfortable of putting a decent sum on Cruz making that big play.
 
The Bold Prediction
 
NY Giants -7.5 to win the Super Bowl – 6/1
This is the bit where I nail my colours to the mast. I think the Giants will win the Super Bowl. Like I say most weeks if you add a point margin or half/time – full/time on a result you like, then the value is often worth the extra risk. I think this will be a close game but I honestly believe that the Giants defensive linemen will cause too much panic for Brady to effectively make plays on every series. I think the Giants will put up 30 in this game and I would be surprised if the Patriots could match that. I like Tom Coughlin’s side by a decent margin, similar to the Saints/Colts game a couple of seasons back.
 
Touchdowns
 
Wes Welker to score first touchdown – 15/2
With all the talk about Rob Gronkowski and his injured ankle, you would imagine that the leading receiver in the NFL in catches and yards would have something to say. Welker has always been a pivotal piece in Brady’s aerial assault since he arrived in 2007. I think he is due a big game on the big stage and this very well might be the one. Welker is 7/1 to open the scoring in this one. Another Patriot bet that stood out was Chad Ochocinco at 33/1; you could imagine it, couldn’t you?
 
Jake Ballard to score first touchdown – 20/1
Ballard has been an integral part in the Giants offense this season. His biggest game came against the Patriots in Week Nine. Bear Pascoe has become more involved in the offense as well but I think Ballard will get his hands on a few big plays in this game. 20/1 says he catches the first touchdown. I like this bet at these odds.
 
Hakeem Nicks to score last touchdown – 9/1
This comes down to what you prefer. Almost exclusively the odds stay the same for first touchdown compared to the last touchdown scorer. I think Nicks has proven too be an excellent receive in his early career. I think his stature and ability to compete with physical corners will make him Eli’s target all day long. 9/1 says Hakeem Nicks makes the difference when it matters most and writes his name in the history books.
 
Can’t miss bet of the week - sponsored by common sense
 
Jason Pierre Paul to be Super Bowl MVP – 50/1
This might be one of the most exciting bets I have come across while doing this column. I saw Victor Cruz was 16/1 and I thought that was good value but this is ridiculous. Pierre-Paul is an unbelievable playmaker, who can block field goals and is as ferocious a pass rusher there is in the NFL. Another thing that makes this bet ridiculous is the fact Pierre-Paul is of the here and now, everyone is talking about him and I think if he can get to Brady along with the rest of the Giants pass rush then he will undoubtedly be in the mix for the honour. 50/1 is just far too tempting to not back a player of his skill set.