Sports Gambling – EA Sports and John Madden looked into their crystal ball and did all bettors a favor by letting them know not only the outcome of Super Bowl XLIV, but the simulated game they ran yesterday also pegged the MVP.
I feel sorry for all of those who already bet on someone other than Drew Brees, as it was none other than the Saints’ signal-caller who won the award in the Madden NFL Super Bowl matchup.
Online sportsbook have had the Super Bowl MVP prop betting line option up for over a week. It is always one of the more popular options for the sports betting public.
Madden’s MVP, Brees, is currently the second most popular option with bettors, sitting right behind, as you might expect, Peyton Manning.
QBs are usually a decent choice for MVP betting, but history shows us that underdogs are worth looking at.
While Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Bart Starr were among the top players on their teams when they won the Super Bowl and were awarded the Pete Rozelle MVP trophy, Otis Anderson, Larry Brown, Desmond Howard and Dexter Jackson rose to the occasion to achieve Super Bowl MVP immortality.
Obviously, Manning (-150) and Brees (+300) are favorites when it comes to this year’s MVP prop odds but there are a number of other players that could rise to the occasion.
Indianapolis Colts
Betting Line – Both teams are known for their passing offenses.
With Manning at the helm, the Indianapolis Colts had the No.2-ranked passing offense (in terms of yards) during the regular season and are also second-best in the postseason.
That’s surprising considering prospective No. 1 wideout Anthony Gonzalez went down with a knee injury early in the season but young receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon have really stepped up.
During the regular season, Garcon led the team, averaging 16.3 yards a catch while Collie was second on the team with seven receiving TDs — both are listed at +2000 to win the MVP.
Garcon and Collie are by no means the only weapons in the Colts’ aerial assault.
Peyton will also have ever-reliable TE Dallas Clark (+1400) and WR Reggie Wayne (+1200) to pass to.
Indy’s rushing attack lacks the pop of its passing game but nevertheless, there’s nothing that says RBs Joseph Addai (+1200) and Donald Brown (+5000) won’t win the Rozelle.
The chances of Colts DE Dwight Freeney playing are 50/50 thanks to his right ankle and even if he plays, his mobility will be hindered.
As a result, he is a +6600 longshot to be named MVP.
Safety Antoine Bethea led the team with four interceptions and LB Clint Session, who led the team in tackles, was third with a pair of picks and they are +9000 and +8000 to win the MVP respectively.
Wayne and Clark are getting some attention from the betting public, with 11% of the overall volume on Wayne and 9% on tight end Clark.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints also have a number of weapons on offense, whether by land or by air; they led the league in points scored during the regular season.
Amongst Brees’ many passing targets, Marques Colston (+1600), Devery Henderson (+3300), Robert Meachem (+4000) and Jeremy Shockey (+4000) have been on the, pardon the pun, receiving end of the QB’s passes.
New Orleans also has three running backs capable of making an impact.
Pierre Thomas (+1800) led the team in rushing with 793 yards and rushing TDs with six; Mike Bell (+8000) was second with 654 yards and was tied with Reggie Bush (+1400) for No. 2 with five rushing TDs.
S Darren Sharper (+2800) was a force in the Saints’ secondary with 15 passes defensed and nine INTs.
LB Jonathan Vilma and safety Roman Harper (both +9000) were one and two in team tackles with 110 and 102 respectively.
While Brees is the big gun on this squad, and is attracting most of the money for Saints players, Kim Kardashian’s boyfriend Reggie Bush has been grabbing a few bucks from the bettors as well. In fact, for someone who has been largely a complimentary player all season, he is currently sitting with 11% of the overall volume bet on the MVP prop.
We’ll see who steps up with special performance on Super Bowl Sunday.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
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