Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Prop Bets and Picks
by Badger of Predictem.com
Billions are wagered on the Super Bowl each year, and Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers could set an all-time high in the take in Las Vegas and offshore when its all said and done, and thats without counting any of the local square pools or pull-tabs on the game.
One of the biggest ways the sportsbooks encourage even non-bettors to dig into their wallets and place a wager on the big game is by installing odds on everything from the coin flip, to the halftime wardrobe of the Black Eyed Peas Fergie, and all the way down to the games MVP. Everything has a price, and most of them are junk bets at best with little or no shot to win, but that doesnt stop people from dropping a few dimes here and there.
With all of the various proposition bets (or prop bets) on the game its easy to get caught up in the minutiae, so dont get carried away with these, but heres a look at some of what I consider the better prop bets available on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
SUPER BOWL XLV – Total Passing Attempts – Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) Over/Under 31.5
If the Steelers are going to have any success its because they are able to grind it out on the ground and keep Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense off the field. Im thinking Roethlisberger will be closer to what he did against the Jets last week (19 attempts) and less like he did in the shootout with Baltimore (32 attempts). Ill take the under of 31.5.
SUPER BOWL XLV – Total Rushing Yards – Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) Over/Under 77.5
Following the same thought process as the previous bet, Mendenhall gets over this easily. The Packers defense will give up yards, and Mendenhall has the speed to get loose for a few 10-plus yard runs, which adds to his total quickly. Im taking the over of 77.5
SUPER BOWL XLV – Total Receptions Mike Wallace (PIT) Over/Under 3.5
Wallace is by far the Steelers most dangerous receiver and will likely draw Tramon Williams in coverage most of the game because of it. Hell get loose for a few catches, maybe a big one over the top, but Im pretty sure the Packers will scheme to take him out of the game. Im going under here at 3.5.
SUPER BOWL XLV – Total Receiving Yards Antwaan Randle El (PIT) Over/Under 15.5
Seriously? Out of the maybe a dozen times he even steps on the field, hell be a non-factor in just about all of them except for a few punt returns. If he even catches a ball on offense, hes a checkdown guy in between the linebackers now, not a downfield threat. Im banking on the under of 15.5.
SUPER BOWL XLV – Total Tackles & Assists – James Farrior (PIT) Over/Under 7
If the Packers run the ball more than seven times the chances are Farrior is going to be around the ball for just about all of them. So much is made of Troy Polamalu being the Steelers heart on the defense, but Farrior is the best player. Im taking the over of 7.
SUPER BOWL XLV – Who will record more Rushing Yards in the game?
Isaac Redman (PIT) RB -5 (-130)
John Kuhn (GB) FB +5 (EVEN)
Redman is a much more dangerous runner with better vision and speed, whereas Kuhn is a move-the-pile short yardage guy. Redman is likely to get more carries too. Ill take Redman minus the -5 even if youre going to jack me the extra juice at -130 odds.
SUPER BOWL XLV – Player to score the first Pittsburgh TD in the game
Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) RB 5/2
Mike Wallace (PIT) WR 7/2
Hines Ward (PIT) WR 13/2
Heath Miller (PIT) TE 13/2
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) QB 8/1
Emmanuel Sanders (PIT) WR 17/2
Isaac Redman (PIT) RB10/1
Antonio Brown (PIT) WR 14/1
Mewelde Moore (PIT) RB 15/1
Any Other Pittsburgh Player 15/2
No Pittsburgh TD Scored In The Game10/1
Im going to go off the radar here a little bit and take Heath Miller at 13/2. Im thinking a goal-line situation with a play-action fake to Mendenhall makes it easy for Miller in the corner. Miller at 13/2.
