The Super Bowl is the largest annual sporting event in the United States and one of the most popular American football competitions. The game is typically played on February 4th or 5th, and this year’s tournament will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Unlike most sports events, where the over-under betting system is typically used to determine the winner, the Super Bowl officially adopts a “straight up” betting system. Under the terms of this system, if the total number of points is even, then the team with the most points wins. Conversely, if the score is odd, then the team with the fewest points wins.
Why Are The Super Bowl LIII Betting Odds So Popular?
To begin with, the Super Bowl is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year because it is one of the last big American football games before the World Cup in June. In addition, many people already have their bets in for the World Cup and are now looking to place futures on the Super Bowl.
However, the biggest factor behind the growth in popularity of the Super Bowl is undoubtedly the innovation of the betting markets. The over-under system is, essentially, a 50/50 split, with the total number of points determining which team wins. However, sportsbooks have now developed alternative betting options for bettors who want to back a winner before the game starts. These options include teasers and props, which allow bettors to predict the winner of the game and earn a return on their investment.
What Are The Most Popular Bets For The Super Bowl?
The most popular bets for Super Bowl LIII are simple: under (under 45.5 points) and over (45.5 points or more). These options have dominated the lists of most popular bets since the beginning of this year, suggesting that most people think that the under is the best option for the Super Bowl. Interestingly, the over-under option has seen a slight uptick in interest compared to normal season, which could point to a rise in its popularity due to its inclusion in the Super Bowl. This is, however, pure speculation.
What Are The Best Bets For The 49ers?
Since the San Francisco 49ers are currently favored to win the Super Bowl, it is imperative to put money on the football team. The 49ers have been one of the best teams in the league throughout the entire year, winning 14 of their first 17 games. Their only loss came against the Los Angeles Rams, who were later eliminated from playoff contention. The 49ers also boast one of the most lethal offenses in the league, led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who has thrown for 13 touchdowns with no interceptions. Garoppolo was also named the league’s most valuable player for the 2018 season.
In terms of picking the perfect bet for the 49ers, under (under 45.5 points) and over (45.5 points) are the safest options. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also bet on the favorites in the NFC Championship Game, the Minnesota Vikings vs. the New Orleans Saints (under 45.5 points) or the Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears (over 45.5 points). Just remember that if the spread is very wide, these bets could turn out to be very risky, as you’re essentially betting on the outcome of the game without being able to see how it unfolds. This is why most sportsbooks will likely steer clear of these types of bets if the lines move significantly in either direction before the game begins.
What Are The Best Bets For The Rams?
Unlike the 49ers, who are currently riding high after an excellent season, the Los Angeles Rams are one of the teams that are currently struggling. The Rams finished the regular season with a 5-10 record, which was good for third place in the NFC West. The team’s struggles were evident throughout the entire year, as they lost a total of 14 games, with their only win coming against the 49ers.
Despite their inconsistent season, the Rams still have a lot to play for. The team is currently led by a dynamic quarterback in Jared Goff, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Goff set the school record for most passing touchdowns in a single season and was named to the 2018 Pro Bowl. The Rams also boast an excellent defense, which allows them to generate a lot of turnovers and big plays. Accordingly, under (under 45.5 points) and over (45.5 points) are the safest bets for the Rams. Unfortunately, with the spread between the under and over so close, it’s probably not the best idea to lay odds on whether or not the Rams will win the Super Bowl.
How Will The Titans’ Injury Affect The Super Bowl?
The injury bug has hit the Tennessee Titans hard in the run-up to the Super Bowl. Three of their starting linebackers—Mitchell, Curry and Robinson — were all lost for the season due to injury. As a result, the Titans had to rely heavily on rookies from their academy, as well as free agents and backups from other teams. Even their starting quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, was not immune to injury, as he missed the final four games of the season with a hip injury.
It is clear that the injury bug has bitten the Titans more than most teams, and this is undoubtedly affecting the betting public as well. Prior to the injury bug, the Titans were 14.5-point underdogs against the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Now, with three key starters missing, the line has shifted to 45.5 points, a spread of 7.5 points. This makes the Titans the second biggest underdogs in the Super Bowl behind the 49ers. It also makes the game much more interesting for bettors, as the injury bug has opened up the possibility of a comeback for the underdogs.
What About Vegas’ Favorite Team, The New England Patriots?
Last but not least, we arrive at one of Vegas’ favorites, the New England Patriots. The Patriots are the defending Super Bowl champions and, while they may not be at the top of every fan’s wish list this year, it would still be a great accomplishment for the team to record back-to-back Super Bowl victories. As a result, odds makers at online sportsbooks have the Patriots listed as the favorite to win the Super Bowl this year, with the over/under line at 47 points. The Patriots are also one of the most popular teams in the league, which is evident by the fact that they are one of the few teams who consistently draw large numbers of bets and action throughout the year. This has made the Patriots a fairly predictable team, which, in turn, makes it easy for betting customers to obtain the information they need to place their wagers.
However, with the injury bug hitting the Patriots hard and some fans possibly growing weary of their consistent dominance, it would not be a bad idea to take a look at some of the underdogs and see if there is any value to be found there. A lot of people probably feel the same way about the Patriots as they do about the Rams and 49ers, which can make for an interesting juxtaposition: the Patriots are generally accepted as the best team in the league, yet many people are choosing to back the underdogs in an attempt to cash in before the Patriots come back and end the underdogs’ season. It would be a shame for these people to miss out on potentially big wins.
Overall, the injury bug has certainly affected the betting favorites in the NFC. It has opened up the competition and allowed underdogs to gain some ground. Some of the underdogs, like the Titans, have even risen up the ranks of the favorites as a result. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to follow the injury reports and odds makers closely prior to the start of the Super Bowl to get a good idea of which teams are poised for success and which ones are bound for disappointment. In addition, it’s never a bad idea to look at the history books: recent trends suggest that the underdogs may be the team to beat in 2019, but just like every other season, the favorites will come out on top once again.