Marshawn Lynch is the favorite to score the first touchdown of the Super Bowl

With Deflategate and the continual harassment of Marshawn Lynch dominating headlines, you may find that Super Bowl week is feeling a bit less fun this year. However, one of the most entertaining aspects of the big game is gambling, and there is still plenty of time to do that. Did you miss out on your office pool? Are you looking for another way to throw down some money? Prop betting may be what you need to spice up your Super Bowl experience. Of the hundreds of prop bets offered on the internet, I’ve chosen a few interesting ones that I will be betting on, using Bovada.

First to score a touchdown

This is an interesting prop because you can choose from 24 players on both teams. Straight bets allow you to place as much or as little you want on favorites or dark horses. Marshawn Lynch is the favorite to score first at 11/2. Christine Michael, James Develin, Michael Hoomanawanui, and Will Tukuafu are all dark horses at 50/1.

My recommendation: Throw $5.00 down on Michael Hoomanawanui to score the first points of the game. At 50/1 that would net you a cool $250.00. The chances are not even close, but that same $5.00 on Marshawn Lynch would only net $27.50. Make it interesting and bet the long shot. In the red zone the Seahawks will have to give extra attention to Rob Gronkowski and LeGarrette Blount. Why not take a shot on Hoomanawanui?

Parlay LeGarrette Blount’s carries with a first half touchdown

Bovada has Blount’s total carries at 15 (-120o, -110u). There is also a prop bet that Blount will score in the first half (+180). These bets individually don’t pay much. For instance, if you bet $25.00 on the over or the under on Blount’s carries, you would be risking $25.00 to win less than $25.00 ($20.83o, $22.73u). If you bet an additional $25.00 on Blount seeing the end zone in the first half ($45y, $11.36n), then you are risking $50.00 to win a maximum of $67.73. Now, let’s say you’re interested in both of those bets, but don’t want the risk without high reward. A parlay is a great opportunity to get the most out of that $25.00. A parlay requires both bets to pan out in order to win.

My recommendation: Take that $25 and parlay the over on Blount’s carries with a first half score. This bet will net $103.33. In seven games with the Patriots this season, Blount averages 13.3 attempts per game. It’s not hard to imagine he could see two carries beyond his average on Super Bowl Sunday. He also has six touchdowns. With the Legion of Boom looming in wait, the Patriots might look to establish the run early and give goal line opportunities to their power back.

Parlay Julian Edelman’s total receptions with a game touchdown

Sticking with the parlay theme here, this bet is a favorable one. Edelman’s predicted receptions are at 6.5 (-125o, -105u). His scoring odds for the entire game are +125y, -155n. Winning the receptions bet would net $20.00o, $23.81u and his scoring chance would net $31.25y, $16.13n. That’s a $50.00 risk for a maximum $55.06 profit.

My recommendation: Just like the above Blount bet, fire that $25.00 at the over and a score. Julian Edelman is arguably the best wide receiver playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. Personally, I think 6.5 is low and I could see him easily hit double digits in receptions. Brandon LaFell will have his work cut out for him battling the Seahawks secondary which could open up a lot of short slants for Edelman. He is also dangerous in the open field and is a threat to return a punt for a touchdown. If that parlay hits then you will turn that $25.00 into $76.25.

Will Marshawn Lynch grab his crotch after scoring a TD in the game?

Everyone loves a good touchdown celebration, right? Considering all the attention the grab has gotten it is hard not to include this prop bet. It is far more interesting than the coin toss, and I’d imagine fans will be looking for the crotch grab more than they will be looking for what color the Gatorade is that gets dumped over the winning coach’s head. If you bet $25.00 that Marshawn Lynch goes for the grab, you would net $100.00. If you think he will avoid the fine and just shake his teammates hands, then $25.00 would earn you $4.17.

My recommendation: Go get yourself that $100.00 with a $25.00 investment. Marshawn Lynch is going to score in this game and he is going to grab himself for all the world to see (Roger Goodell included). He is already expecting fines for his “Beast Mode” hat he’s been donning during media week, so what’s another one to him? The faithful 12’s have funded Lynch’s fines in the past and if he scores a touchdown for them I’d bet that they would be happy to do it again. Marshawn Lynch has flirted with retirement. If this is his last game with the Seahawks and he scores, he is going out with a crotch grab.

Groundhog Day Parlay

There are four possible outcomes here. This parlay is a tricky one because while you may be confident in who will win the Super Bowl, no one really knows what that fickle rodent Punxsutawney Phil will do. The odds are in favor that Phil will not see his shadow on Monday with snow in the forecast and cloudy skies. A bet of $25.00 on either team winning and either outcome of Groundhog’s day will net between $55.00 and $68.75, effectively more than doubling your money.

My recommendation: It’s sad when the Super Bowl ends. Why not keep the fun going and extend the season another 12 hours while you wait for the cute little guy to crawl out of his hole? Pick your team here – I’ll leave that part up to you. But bank on Phil seeing his shadow and all of us suffering through another few weeks of the cold. Winter Storm Juno was Mother Nature’s warning shot; she will be dropping more artillery before spring arrives.

Again, I will be placing these bets myself, risking in total $105.00 to win $584.50. Good luck, but more importantly make sure you have a little fun with the bets you place!

FantasyPros does not officially recommend these bets but we wish Jen Ryan the best of luck!