It's the greatest sports wagering event of the year and with legalized betting now a reality in several states, you can expect to see more betting action on Super Bowl LIII odds than in any football game in history. Sportsbooks around the globe have you covered, producing thousands of prop bets to give bettors a veritable buffet of options alongside the standard moneyline, spread and totals options.
If you're looking at playing just the hits, the Super Bowl pointspread opened the New England Patriots +1 but has been up to -2.5 (you can even find them -3 in some locations) as we inch closer to the championship game. The Patriots are also -140 on the moneyline, with not much movement expected there between now and Super Bowl kickoff. The total has slipped from 58 down to 56.5.**video
Not sure where to start? Having trouble narrowing down which props to play? Fret not, betting friend! Here are 53 betting notes sure to give you the direction you need to make the most informed bets ahead of The Big Game:
*All props courtesy of the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas.
1. Like the 52 Super Bowl games before this one, the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will open the festivities with a good old-fashioned coin toss. Heads has come up 25 times in Super Bowl history, while tails has come up 27 times.
2. Tom Brady will play in his ninth Super Bowl on February 3 and while "Tom Terrific" might just be the greatest quarterback in the history of the sport, he hasn't fared well on his first pass of the game in Super Bowl, going just 4 of 8. In fact, he has completed his first pass just once in his past five title games. PROP: Tom Brady's first pass attempt: COMPLETE (-220), INCOMPLETE (+180).
3. The Patriots will likely rely on their three-headed running back monster of Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead to move the chains on the ground and each player has an Over/Under of 3.5 yards on their opening carry. We like Michel's over the best at +110, as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry both in the opening quarter and on the season.
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4. Sorry Rams fans, but we gotta get in one more Patriots prop before switching gears. New England forced a touchback on fewer than half of Stephen Gostkowski's kickoffs this season, and that rate plummets to 23.8 percent over its past three games. PROP: Will Gostkowski's first kickoff result in a touchback? YES (+180), NO (-220).
5. We see you, L.A. And this matchup should be a good one for the running back tandem of Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson, both of whom can catch the ball. With the Patriots one of only 12 teams to allow 90 or more receptions to backs during the regular season, there's profit potential here. PROP: C.J. Anderson O/U 0.5 receptions: OVER (-160), UNDER (+140).
6. If you win the Super Bowl, the chances are outstanding that you covered, as well. The team that wins the Super Bowl has also gone on to cover the pointspread an incredible 44 times against just six non-covers and two pushes.
7. Looking for some positional props? Wide receivers have produced the first touchdown of the Super Bowl on 24 occasions or 46.2 percent of the time. Running backs are next with 15 (28.8 percent), followed by defense/special teams with five (9.6 percent), tight ends with four (7.7 percent), quarterbacks with two (3.8 percent) and fullbacks with two (3.8 percent).
8. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein is already a legend for that game-winning kick in the NFC Championship Game against New Orleans, but will he get things started early in Super Bowl LIII? Zuerlein booted 30 field goals in 31 opportunities during the regular season, but just three came in the opening quarter. PROP: Will Greg Zuerlein make a first-quarter field goal? YES (+170), NO (-200).
9. PROP I LIKE: Will Greg Zuerlein make a first-quarter field goal? YES (+110)/NO (-130): While Zuerlein hasn't been all that busy in the opening 15 minutes, the second quarter is a much different story, with Zuerlein connecting on 10 field goals in 13 opportunities – his highest make and attempt totals of any quarter this season.
10. Score first in the Super Bowl, and you're in the driver's seat. The team that opens the scoring has gone on to win the title in 35 of the first 52 Super Bowls (67.3 percent), including six of the previous seven games. PROP: Will the team that scores first win the game? YES (-170), NO (+145).
11. The Rams put together a truly awesome offensive season, scoring in every quarter 10 different times (including playoffs). That dominance was highlighted by a stretch in which Los Angeles scored in each quarter of six consecutive games. Both the Pats and Eagles scored in every quarter last year and prior to that, no team had done it since the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 48. PROP: Will the Rams score in all four quarters? YES (+110), NO (-130),
12. No team is better at securing the first down than Los Angeles, which averages 25 per game entering the Super Bowl. But while the Patriots are slightly behind that pace at 23.9, they've been far superior of late, averaging an unbelievable 30 first downs in their past three games compared to the Rams' 25.7. PROP: More first downs: PATRIOTS (-110), RAMS (-110).
13. PROP I LIKE: Will the Rams convert a fourth-down attempt? YES (-110): While the Rams went just 6 of 15 on fourth down during the regular season, Sean McVay's crew has gone a perfect 3 for 3 in the playoffs. And while New England has held opponents to a 41.2 percent fourth-down conversion rate – fourth best in the league – all it takes is one for the Rams to cash this prop.
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14. Super Bowl participants have saved their best for after the star-studded halftime show in recent years. The second half has produced more points than the first half in 15 of the previous 20 Super Bowls. The first half has been the highest-scoring 30-minute block on four occasions, with one draw (Super Bowl XLVI, when the Patriots and Giants produced 19 points in each half).
15. Gronk might not be the bulldozer of old, but he can still cause opposing teams problems. And that could spell bad news for the Rams, who allowed the second-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends in 2018. PROP: Total receiving yards by Rob Gronkowski (49.5): OVER (-110), UNDER (-110).
16. The Patriots' first-quarter struggles in the Super Bowl are well-documented and bettors can take full advantage if that trend continues next Sunday. New England has scored just three total points in the first quarter of the eight Super Bowls in which Brady and Bill Belichick have appeared. PROP: What will happen first? PATRIOTS SCORE (-130), PATRIOTS PUNT (+110).
17. PROP I LIKE: First turnover of the game will be: INTERCEPTION (-150): You won't be able to buy a yacht with your winnings from this one, but it's a good confidence booster. Both teams racked up 18 interceptions each on defense during the season, while combining for just 22 total fumble recoveries. They also threw more picks than had fumbles lost, further galvanizing this prop.
18. Given both teams' ball-hawking prowess, the OVER on the total interception tally of 1.5 (+110) is also intriguing.
19. Close matchups have become a trademark of The Big Game, and this year's edition is no exception. Super Bowl LIII will represent the 11th straight NFL championship game in which the spread sits at seven points or less. In fact, the only games with a larger spread this century came back in 2008, when Brady and the Patriots were 12-point favorites over the New York Giants, and 2002 when the Pats were 14-point underdogs against the Rams. And we all remember how those two games turned out.
20. It's Gurley time! The stud running back didn't look at all like himself in the NFC Championship Game, but will have two full weeks to get right ahead of Super Bowl LIII. He has been a touchdown machine in 2018, rushing for 19 scores – including 11 in the first half of games. But New England has allowed just 9.3 first-half points this season, third fewest in the league. PROP: Will Todd Gurley score a touchdown in the 1st half? YES (+170), NO (-200).
21. PROP I LIKE: Total rushing attempts by Todd Gurley: UNDER 14.5 (-110): There's a lot working against Gurley when it comes to carry count. He hasn't looked anything like the player who eviscerated the league in the first half of the season, and now has C.J. Anderson as a legitimate running mate in the backfield. His presence should limit the need for the Rams to lean on their franchise back.
22. The majority of Super Bowls feature just two players slingin' the pigskin but that has changed in recent years, with three of the past five NFL championship games featuring more than two players attempting at least one pass. Super Bowl LII saw both teams use two pass-throwers, with the Eagles' Trey Burton and the Patriots' Julian Edelman posting one attempt each. PROP: Total number of different players to have a passing attempt (2.5): OVER (+110), UNDER (-130).
23. Oddsmakers are going against recent history when it comes to defensive or special teams TDs and that could mean a sneaky good profit play for bettors. There has been a defensive/special teams score in eight of the past 12 Super Bowls. PROP: Will there be a special teams or defensive touchdown? YES (+200), NO (-250).
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24. Looking at the two-point props? While the Rams went 5 for 7 on two-point attempts, the Patriots were 0 for 1. That said, there has been at least one two-point attempt in eight of the past nine Super Bowls, with teams going 5 for 9 on those attempts.
25. PROPS I LIKE: YES to both the two-point attempt (+145) and conversion (+250). Both teams are so skilled offensively, and with this one expected to feature plenty of scoring, there should be at least one two-point make.
26. While some bettors might feel inclined to take a field goal as the final scoring play of the opening half – doesn't it seem like teams always settle for three points going into the break? – the Super Bowl has bucked that trend, with 12 of the previous 17 editions featuring a TD as the last scoring play of the first half. PROP: Last score of the first half will be: TD (-110), OTHER (-110).
27. There has been just one overtime game in the history of the Super Bowl and that occurred just two years ago, when the Patriots rallied to beat the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. PROP: Will there be overtime? YES (+700), NO (-1,100).
28. Patriots fullback James Develin has been the most productive rusher in football, based on touchdowns per yards gained. Develin has rushed for just 13 yards in the regular season and playoffs, but has four scores to show for it.
29. PROP I LIKE: James Develin total rushing + receiving yards: OVER 1.5 (-110). Develin has gained more than one yard in eight of 14 games this season – and doesn't this feel like the kind of game where Belichick will use his secret weapon in short-yardage fourth downs or goal-to-go situations?
30. Gostkowski is one of the most accomplished postseason kickers in history, making good on 37 of 41 attempts in the playoffs. But he's just 5 for 6 in his five Super Bowl appearances, with his only miss coming in that Super Bowl 52 loss to Philly. PROP: Total field goals made by Stephen Gostkowski (1.5): OVER (-150), UNDER (+130)
31. All hail the underdogs! They've covered in six of the past seven Super Bowls, and nine of the previous 11. But the favorites still have the edge overall, having gone 27-23-2 ATS in the Big Game.
32. The teams couldn't be more different when it comes to rushing production away from home. The Patriots averaged just 3.9 yards per carry with four of their 18 rushing scores coming away from Gillette Stadium, while the Rams put up 5.5 yards per carry and 13 rushing TDs on the road. PROP: More rushing yards: PATRIOTS (-0.5, -110), RAMS (+0.5, -110)
33. Let's get some punter plays in here, shall we? Johnny Hekker is one of the best in the league at his craft and the veteran Rams punter was especially prolific indoors this year, averaging 50.2 gross yards on six kicks with a long of 59 yards. PROP: Longest gross punt by Johnny Hekker (55.5 yards): OVER (-110), UNDER (-110)
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34. PROP I LIKE: Shortest gross punt by Johnny Hecker: OVER 37.5 YARDS (-110). Come on with this. Hekker averaged better than 46 gross yards per punt during the regular season and, aside from a 29-yard clunker against Dallas, has been nails so far in the playoffs with a 42.4-yard rate. I don't see much punting in this one – but when the time comes, Hekker will be ready.
35. Rams receiver Robert Woods isn't a rusher by trade, but was given plenty of opportunities this season. Woods has at least one carry in 13 of Los Angeles' 18 games, including both postseason contests. PROP: Robert Woods rushing yards (7.5): OVER (-110), UNDER (-110)
36. Brandin Cooks wasn't used as often as a rusher, posting a carry in just eight games. He had only three over the Rams' final seven games entering the Super Bowl. PROP: Will Brandin Cooks have a rushing attempt? YES (-130), NO (+110)
37. PROP I LIKE: Total Jared Goff touchdown passes: TWO (+200). Goff was a completely different quarterback on the road than at home in 2018, finishing with just 10 TD passes in eight games away from L.A. Memorial Coliseum compared to 22 in his eight home games. That significantly caps his upside, so two seems like a reasonable ceiling here.
38. PROP I LIKE: Total Jared Goff passing yards: 221-240 (+1,200): Goff has been a Jeckyl-and-Hyde kind of QB on the road in 2018. Here are his passing yard outputs, in order from highest to lowest: 391, 321, 297, 233, 216, 207, 202, 201, 180. Six of his nine games fall within the range above, making this a decent dart throw.
39. When deciding on the highest-scoring quarter of the game, you're pretty much left with three options. Only four times in the first 52 Super Bowls has the opening quarter produced the most points (Super Bowls 8, 15, 31 and 41). The fourth quarter has been the best play to date, coming through 20 times.
40. PROP I LIKE: Highest scoring quarter: FOURTH (+200): Why argue with history? Nearly 40 percent of all Super Bowl games have seen the fourth quarter produce the most points, and both New England (7.4) and the Rams (7.2) rank in the top 12 league-wide in fourth-quarter scoring this season.
41. If you like Brady or Goff to take home Super Bowl MVP honors, you certainly aren't alone. Quarterbacks are responsible for 29 of the 52 MVP awards, easily outdistancing the field. Running backs (seven) and wide receivers (six) are next in line, followed by linebackers (four). No other position has produced more than two Super Bowl MVP winners.
42. PROP I LIKE: Super Bowl MVP: Brandin Cooks (+3,000) or Robert Woods (+3,000): Neither team has a shortage of worthy candidates, but if the Rams prevail, it will likely be because one of their star receivers went off. Goff (+200) isn't a great value play at his price, and neither is Gurley (+1,600). Take one – or even both – of the Rams' top two pass catchers.
43. If you're leading at the half, youre chances of winning the Super Bowl are great. Of the 48 Super Bowls in which one team lead going into the break, the team ahead has gone on to win 37 percent of the time (77.1 percent).
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44. PROP I LIKE: Double result (first half-second half): PATRIOTS-PATRIOTS (+150) or RAMS-RAMS (+250). Rather than lean on the moneyline here, why not increase your profit potential and double down on the team you think will win?
45. Aaron Donald is the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, but the Rams' QB crusher has seen teams game plan away from him in recent weeks. Donald has just two solo/assisted tackles in four of his last six games, after recording three or more tackles in eight of his first 12 contests. PROP: Aaron Donald solo/assisted tackles (3.5): OVER (-110), UNDER (-110)
46. Defensive mate Ndamukong Suh – who has the exact same prop – has been the beneficiary of opponents' recent switch in tactics, racking up four or more solo/assisted tackles in six of his previous seven games.
47. While the key to victory for New England might not be quite this simple, it's worth mentioning that Patriots pass-catching back James White had 14 receptions in the Patriots' Super Bowl LI win over Atlanta, and just two in last year's loss to the Eagles. PROP: Total receptions by James White (4.5): OVER (-150), UNDER (+130)
48. PROP I LIKE: Total receiving yards by James White: OVER 44.5 (-110). The Patriots are 9-1 SU this season when James passes the 45-yard receiving mark, and 4-4 SU when he doesn't. That alone makes this a solid play.
49. Big Super Bowl leads have been uncommon for well over a decade now. Teams have led by 15 or more points in just four of the previous 15 NFL championships, most recently Atlanta's ill-fated 28-3 edge in Super Bowl 51. PROP: Largest lead of the game by either team (14.5): OVER (-130), UNDER (+110).
50. Of all the strange trends you'll see this week, this one might be the most interesting of all: The Patriots are an amazing 22-5-1 ATS in their previous 28 games after allowing 90 or fewer rushing yards in their previous contest. And the Rams are 5-15-1 ATS in their past 21 after racking up 350 or more total yards last time out.
51. Fancy a couple of cross-sport props? Here are some favorites: James Harden's total points against the Jazz (+9.5) vs. the longest TD of the Super Bowl (both -110), Stephen Curry's missed free throws against the Lakers (+120) vs. Rob Gronkowski's total touchdowns (-140) and Phil Mickelson's bogey count from the final round of the Waste Management Open (+1.5) vs. Josh Reynolds' total receptions (both -110).
52. The most intriguing cross-sport prop might just be Russell Westbrook's total points, rebounds and assists (+3.5) vs. the longest field goal of Super Bowl 53 (both -110). For what it's worth, Westbrook is averaging 23.9 points, 12.2 assists and 10.8 rebounds this month (total: 46.9), while there hasn't been a field goal of 47 yards or longer since Super Bowl 44.
53. Are we saving the best for last? That's up to you, my friend. But if you're thinking about taking a shot on an exact score prop, 27 has been the winning tally for more Super Bowl champions (five) than any other. PROPS: Final score for Patriots: 27 (+1,200); final score for Rams: 27 (+1,200).
BONUS: The losing team has scored 10 points a record eight times. PROPS: Final score for Patriots: 10 (+8,000); final score for Rams: 10 (+3,000).
