Ricky Dimon
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No single sporting event each year takes in more bets than the Super Bowl. It’s not necessarily the quality of the game; sure, it’s a big one—but it’s no bigger than the World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Finals, or World Cup. It’s the quantity of the wagers that can be made. As you already know if you are reading this fine piece of literature, you can bet on literally everything. National Anthem? Check. Coin toss? Check. Color of Gatorade dumped on the winning head coach? Check. And the list goes on and on and on. For now, let’s take a look at some of the Rams vs. New England Patriots Super Bowl Prop bets.
Jared Goff under 290.5 passing yards (-115)
This matchup is a tale of two very, very different quarterbacks. The three certainties of life are death, taxes, and Tom Brady playing in the Super Bowl. Jared Goff, on the other hand, is making his debut appearance. Goff was in the NFL MVP discussion for a while (Brady, for what it’s worth, never was at any point this season), but he cooled off down the stretch along with running back Todd Gurley and the rest of the Rams’ offense.
Goff has been solid but unspectacular in the playoffs–good enough to be 2-0 so far which is all that really matters. He completed 15 of 28 passes for 186 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against Dallas before going 25-of-40 for 297 yards with one TD and one INT at New Orleans. Los Angeles will try to keep Brady and company off the field by running the clock with long, sustained drives. That means more Gurley and C.J. Anderson than Goff.
Sony Michel over 72.5 rushing yards (-120)
It’s a Georgia vs. Georgia running back showdown in the Super Bowl (assuming Gurley is healthy enough to be a real factor, of course). Given Gurley’s status, it is Michel who is actually the more reliable one going into Atlanta and the safer choice to deliver a big performance inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It is Michel who has been on fire of late, too. After delivering four 100-yard rushing performances during the regular season, the instant-impact rookie is 2-for-2 in that department in the playoffs. He destroyed the Chargers to the tune of 129 yards and three scores on 24 carries and then turned 29 attempts into 113 yards and two TDs in the overtime win at Kansas City. The Rams were 23rd in the NFL in run defense at 122.3 yards per game.
Todd Gurley to score the Rams’ first touchdown (+225)
If there is one thing Gurley can do, even when he isn’t 100 percent, it’s put the ball in the endzone. As ineffective as he was in the NFC Championship, the former No. 10 overall pick (2015) still managed to score a touchdown. He did so on 21 occasions during the 16-game slate (17 on the ground, four receiving) despite missing the final two weeks.
Beyond wanting to keep the ball on the ground, Los Angeles will be eager to establish Gurley in the early stages of the Super Bowl to get him back in the flow following an injury-plagued December and a slow start to these playoffs. A strong start by Gurley would make a major statement and put the Patriots on their heels.
Julian Edelman to have more receiving yards than Brandin Cooks (-130)
If there is one player you never want to bet against (other than Brady), it’s Edelman—especially when it comes to a Super Bowl situation. Prior to missing last season, Edelman delivered two 100-yard receiving performances on the way to the Super Bowl and then came up clutch in the comeback win over Atlanta. He torched the Chargers with 151 yards two weeks ago and finished with 96 yards thanks to some absolutely critical overtime catches against Kansas City. The 32-year-old has been targeted 23 times through two postseason outings, making 16 receptions.
Cooks is making his second straight Super Bowl appearance, now facing the team he lost with last year. The No. 20 overall pick in 2014 did nothing in New England’s loss to Philadelphia, so he will be looking to make amends on the biggest stage in football. Although Cooks had 107 receiving yards against the Saints, he has been targeted only 14 times through two playoff games (11 catches).
Aaron Donald to win MVP (+1800)
Will Donald win Super Bowl MVP? As the odds suggest, probably not. But +1800 on him could be the best value you are going to find other than perhaps with Brady or Edelman. Donald was an absolute wrecking crew in the regular season, with 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 41 solo tackles. If L.A. pulls off a minor upset in Atlanta, Donald giving Brady nightmares will undoubtedly be a big reason why.
Brady is the favorite at -110, followed by Goff at +200. Nobody else has better than +1000 odds (Gurley). Rounding out the field of realistic MVP contenders are Michel (+1400), Donald, Anderson (+1800), Edelman (+3000), James White (+3000), Cooks (+4000), Robert Woods (+4000), and Rob Gronkowski (+5000).
