» February 4, 2010
By SPORTSBETTING.com
EA
Sports and John Madden looked into their crystal ball and did all bettors a
favor by letting them know not only the outcome of Super Bowl XLIV, but the
simulated game they ran also pegged the MVP.
I
feel sorry for all of those who already bet on someone other than Drew Brees,
as it was none other than the Saints' signal-caller who won the award in the Madden NFL Super Bowl
matchup.
Online
sportsbooks have had the Super Bowl MVP prop betting option up for over a
week now. It is always one of the more popular options for the sports betting
public.
Madden's
MVP, Brees, is currently the second most popular option with bettors, sitting
right behind, as you might expect, Peyton Manning. Sportsbooks are currently
reporting Manning with 34% of all the MVP betting action. Speaking of
sportsbooks, be sure to sign-up at SPORTSBETTING.com
this week for their 125% Super Bowl sign-up bonus!
When
it comes to MVP betting, QBs are usually a decent choice, but history shows us
that underdogs are worth looking at.
While
Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Bart Starr were among the top players on their
teams when they won the Super Bowl and were awarded the Pete Rozelle MVP
trophy, Otis Anderson, Larry Brown, Desmond Howard and Dexter Jackson rose to
the occasion to achieve Super Bowl MVP immortality.
Obviously,
Manning (-150) and Brees (+300) are favorites when it comes to this year's MVP
prop odds but there are a number of other players that could rise to the
occasion.
Indianapolis Colts
Both
teams are known for their passing offenses.
With
Manning at the helm, the Indianapolis Colts had the No.2-ranked passing offense
(in terms of yards) during the regular season and are also second-best in the
postseason.
That's
surprising considering prospective No. 1 wideout Anthony Gonzalez went down
with a knee injury early in the season but young receivers Austin Collie and
Pierre Garcon have really stepped up.
During
the regular season, Garcon led the team, averaging 16.3 yards a catch while
Collie was second on the team with seven receiving TDs — both are listed at
+2000 to win the MVP.
Garcon
and Collie are by no means the only weapons in the Colts' aerial assault.
Peyton
will also have ever-reliable TE Dallas Clark (+1400) and WR Reggie Wayne
(+1200) to pass to.
Indy's
rushing attack lacks the pop of its passing game but nevertheless, there's
nothing that says RBs Joseph Addai (+1200) and Donald Brown (+5000) won't win
the Rozelle.
The
chances of Colts DE Dwight Freeney playing are 50/50 thanks to his right ankle
and even if he plays, his mobility will be hindered.
As
a result, he is a +6600 longshot to be named MVP.
Safety
Antoine Bethea led the team with four interceptions and LB Clint Session, who
led the team in tackles, was third with a pair of picks and they are +9000 and
+8000 to win the MVP respectively.
Wayne
and Clark are getting some attention from the betting public, with 11% of the
overall volume on Wayne and 9% on tight end Clark.
New Orleans Saints
The
Saints also have a number of weapons on offense, whether by land or by air; they
led the league in points scored during the regular season.
Amongst
Brees' many passing targets, Marques Colston (+1600), Devery Henderson (+3300),
Robert Meachem (+4000) and Jeremy Shockey (+4000) have been on the, pardon the
pun, receiving end of the QB's passes.
New
Orleans
also has three running backs capable of making an impact.
Pierre
Thomas (+1800) led the team in rushing with 793 yards and rushing TDs with six;
Mike Bell (+8000) was second with 654 yards and was tied with Reggie Bush
(+1400) for No. 2 with five rushing TDs.
S
Darren Sharper (+2800) was a force in the Saints' secondary with 15 passes
defensed and nine INTs.
LB
Jonathan Vilma and safety Roman Harper (both +9000) were one and two in team
tackles with 110 and 102 respectively.
While
Brees is the big gun on this squad, and is attracting most of the money for
Saints players, Kim Kardashian's boyfriend Reggie Bush has been grabbing a few
bucks from the bettors as well. In fact, for someone who has been largely a
complimentary player all season, he is currently sitting with 11% of the
overall volume bet on the MVP prop.
We'll
see who steps up with special performance on Super Bowl Sunday.
Enjoy
the rest of your week.
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SPORTSBETTING.com
for a 125% Super Bowl sign-up bonus all this week.