Super Bowl 52 is almost here and with it comes the biggest betting day of the year. With sportsbook offering over 1,000 ways to wager on the Big Game, almost every snap has action riding on it.
Before we dive into all the odds and offerings for Super Bowl 52, let’s look back at some of the best betting moments from the last 10 NFL championships. Here are Nos. 10 through six:
No. 10: The Saints’ onside kick
The New Orleans Saints entered the second half of Super Bowl 44 down 10-6 to the Indianapolis Colts and were set to kick off to begin the third quarter. Suddenly, New Orleans kicker Thomas Morstead launched the ball toward the sideline, catching Indianapolis off guard, and after a skirmish, giving the Saints the ball back. The onside kick swung the momentum of the game, eventually leading New Orleans to a 31-17 win as a 5-point underdog.
No. 9: Santonio’s toe drag swag
The Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing the Arizona Cardinals 23-20 in the final two minutes and 37 seconds of Super Bowl 43. On a second-and-goal, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found receiver Santonio Holmes in the back corner of the end zone over three defenders, with Holmes barely dragging his toes for the go-ahead touchdown. That made the final 27-23 and pushed the score Over the 46-point total.
No. 8: Aguilera’s anthem
Pop singer Christina Aguilera was asked to sing the National Anthem at Super Bowl 45 and with it came the always-popular Over/Under prop on National anthem time. Sportsbooks set the total at one minute and 54 seconds and Aguilera went on to butcher the Star-Spangled Banner – missing and adding lines – to finish Under that timed total at a minute and 53 seconds. If that wasn’t enough controversy, she added a “Wooo!” at the end of her rendition, which if counted would have pushed the time Over the one minute and 54 second mark. After plenty of debate, online books eventually did the right thing and paid both sides of the anthem Over/Under.
No. 7: Bets break $100 million
Nevada sportsbooks knew the handle for Super Bowl 48 between Seattle and Denver was going to be huge, with many optimistic that Super Bowl bets would test the $100 million dollar mark – surpassing the previous record handle of $98.9 million from Super Bowl 47. When all the cash was counted, Nevada sportsbooks took in a surprising $119.4 million in wagers – shattering the old record and opening the eyes of many to the growing popularity of sports betting. Last year’s Big Game, it brought in a record $138.48 million in bets last February.
No. 6: Super Mario
Super Bowl 46 was a much-anticipated Big Game rematch between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, who had met just four years earlier in Super Bowl 42. New York, once again pegged as an underdog, trailed New England 17-15 with just under four minutes to play. An incredible 38-yard catch by receiver Mario Manningham down the sideline between two defenders would highlight a game-winning drive from the Giants, who would go on to win 21-17 and cash in as +120 moneyline dogs.
That’s it for Nos. 10 through 6 on our list of the best betting moments from the last 10 Super Bowls. Be sure to check back next week for the Top 5. Spoiler alert: the Patriots are involved – a lot.
For all your Super Bowl betting odds and info, check out Covers NFL home page and be sure you’re following us on Twitter @Covers all way through kick off on February 4.
**video
The best Super Bowl betting moments of the past 10 years: No. 10 through No. 6
If you've bet on the Super Bowl over the past 10 years, there's a good chance your wagers were won or lost on one of these five memorable moments.
