Super Bowl prop bets 2022: Odds for NBC's broadcast, from celebrity sightings to Macaulay Culkin references – Sporting News
Everything is bigger when it comes to the Super Bowl, including the broadcast, which was watched by over 91 million people last year — almost 50 million more than any other television show in 2021. With so many viewers expected to tune into NBC for Super Bowl 56 between the Rams and Bengals on Sunday, it makes sense that sportsbooks have opened up their menu of wagering options to include some prop bets on Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, L.A.-area landmarks, celebrities, and more.
Some of these props will be controversial, as we outline below; others are straight forward, such as whether Joe Burrow will be compared to Macaulay Culkin. Regardless, if you bet on the broadcast, you have a reason to watch (and pay attention) until the final whistle, which is better than passing out and missing the entire fourth quarter. Well, maybe.
Below, we’ll go over our favorite broadcast props that can be found at various online sportsbooks, but there are plenty of others if you look hard enough (and aren’t afraid of potential computer viruses).
If you do want to bet on the broadcast, make sure you understand what your book officially counts as “the broadcast.” Is it from when Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth are introduced until just after the game ends? It certainly isn’t the pregame show, and the postgame show is its own thing, too (otherwise the Roger Goodell bet below would be an easy OVER).
It’s likely “the broadcast” officially starts just after the pregame show (i.e. when they run the Super Bowl intro and Michaels comes on) until just after the first on-field interview after the game. Michaels will likely say something like, “Stay tuned for the postgame show.” After that, all bets are off.
MORE SUPER 56 PROP BETS:
National Anthem | Halftime Show | Coin toss, more
Michaels is notorious for referencing betting lines, but he never outright says them, so the wording on this prop is very important. Because this one specifically uses “say” in the bet, then this is a sure “No.” However, if you find a book that uses “references,” then “Yes” is worth some money. “The Rascal” — Michaels’ somewhat creepy name for his spread-referencing alter ego — is sure to come out, especially if the game doesn’t go down to the final play.
If you bet the OVER on this, that means you want to see Goodell during the Super Bowl. That’s super lame. That’s not to say the OVER won’t hit — especially if it counts if NBC shows Goodell, cuts away really quick, then cuts back — but still…lame. Either take the UNDER or stay away.
This is much more likely to happen in the pregame show, not the actual broadcast. Is it possible? Maybe, but you might need Culkin to actually be at the game. Given his propensity for being left behind and missing important events — seriously, it’s happened at least twice — it’s best to stay away from this one and just look at some of the creepy comparisons online.
If all you need to win is a highlight of him smoking a cigar, then you might as well put money on “Yes.” Burrow did this after winning the National Championship at LSU and after the Bengals clinched the AFC North earlier this season. It’s possible we get a highlight of that, especially if the Bengals are leading comfortably at some point in the fourth quarter. Obviously, we won’t see Burrow light up during the actual game broadcast (we’re assuming pre- and post-game shows don’t count), but with no value on “No,” why not take a chance?
There’s a reason the Hollywood sign is the heavy favorite, but the Walk of Fame isn’t out of the question, especially since Al Michaels has a star on it. This might be more of a coin flip than the odds indicate, so the Walk of Fame offers much better value.
Why would any of these be mentioned at all? Sure, it’s possible, but unlike the above prop, these things have to be said, not just shown. What seems most likely is the Rodeo Drive sign is shown coming back from commercial, and perhaps it’s commented on by Michaels, but even that seems like a longshot. It’s OK to not bet on things, and this is definitely one of those things.
DiCaprio figures to be shown for sure, like he was during the NFC Championship game, which is probably why he’s the favorite. It’s unclear if the rest will even be there (though Damon could appear in a commercial during the game), so DiCaprio is an easy pick here.
It’s pretty much a lock that Magic and LeBron will be at the game and be shown, but obviously it’s a coin flip as to which will be shown first. The same can be said for Hart and Timberlake, though they’re a little less certain to be there. Kershaw is the most interesting option. He’s not exactly a “high-profile celebrity” like the other four, but his lifelong friendship with Rams QB Matthew Stafford is beyond well documented, and Stafford himself said earlier this week that Kershaw will “try” to attend the game. Given the connection and long odds, Kershaw is a high-value pick. If you want to play it a little safer, take Magic. He’s everywhere.
O’Connell was recently hired to be the Vikings’ head coach, so he’s definitely most likely to be shown first. However, it might come down to situation. Both head coaches are thought of as the true offensive masterminds of their respective teams, so it’s possible one of the defensive coordinators (Morris or Anarumo) is shown after a particularly good or bad defensive play. Of course, most people had never heard the name “Lou Anarumo” before reading this, so, let’s face it, it’s unlikely he’ll be shown first.
Yes, Super Bowl 53 was much more recent and involved plenty of the same people who are in this game, but it’s not as if it’s impossible for the Super Bowl the Rams actually won to get first mention. Still, we’d bet on highlights/images of Super Bowl 53 being shown first, whether it’s a clip of Sean McVay or a reference in relation to Tom Brady’s retirement.
Boomer makes sense, not only because he was the Bengals QB during their last Super Bowl but also because Joe Burrow will inevitably be compared to him. Of course, that’s just as true for Warner with Matthew Stafford. Collinsworth might be in a montage package, but he won’t be shown before Esiason, and Faulk seems unlikely despite winning a Super Bowl. Dickerson will be at the game and is a Rams legend/ambassador, but he never played in a Super Bowl, so he’s out. Ickey is the most “interesting” of the group and is the best longshot bet, especially since he presented the Bengals with the AFC Championship trophy a couple weeks ago. Does that count as a highlight? If so, we’d go for a bigger payout with Woods. If not, we’ll take the “safer” plus money bet with Warner.
This has to be Brady, right? He recently retired, he lost to the Rams in the playoffs this year, and he’s twice beaten the Rams in Super Bowls. Why would Rodgers get mentioned before him? It’s these kinds of “obvious” bets that can drive you crazy, but it’s best to just wager on Brady and collect your small payout.
Burrow will be trying to join Montana and Namath as the only starting QBs to win a National Championship and a Super Bowl, so those names will definitely be said. Montana has the added bonus of twice beating the Bengals in Super Bowls. Theismann might also be in a montage of “Super Bowl-winning Joe’s,” but if that were the case, then Namath will be talked about first. That’s why Montana and Namath have almost equal odds, but we’re still siding with Montana, who has more avenues for being mentioned.
If the announcers are going to bring up a bummer topic like COVID during the Super Bowl, it seems likely they would be as generic as possible about it. So, it’s a bit curious as to why “Omicron” has the smaller payout. It’s almost as if this is a line error and “COVID” is supposed to be -300, not +300. Either way, “COVID” is the play.
Again, this one seems obvious. Even if they’re recounting how Joe Burrow was originally enrolled at Ohio State before transferring, LSU still seems likely to be mentioned first. Also, there are several players who went to LSU on both starting offenses (Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Whitworth) and just one who went to Ohio State (Bengals RG Isaiah Prince), so if the players introduce themselves (and that counts for this bet), LSU figures to be said first regardless of who has the ball. Betting on “LSU” feels like free money.
Here’s where specifics matter: Does “Detroit Lions” have to be said or just “Lions?” Obviously, it will be mentioned fairly early that Stafford was acquired from the Lions this offseason, but the announcers might not say “Detroit.” They will almost certainly mention immediately after that Jared Goff, who took the Rams to the Super Bowl three years ago, was involved in that trade. “Lions” will probably be said before “Jared Goff,” but “Detroit?” That’s a toss-up. As such, it’s best to stay away because you know you’re not winning an argument about this with some shady offshore betting site.
