NONSTOP PROP
No shortage of ways to profit besides final score
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ROM the producer who brought you last year’s Super Bowl MVP long shot (Julian Edelman, 20/1) and the previous year’s first touchdown scorer (Alshon Jeffery, 12/1) — among many other winners — comes the next installment of the never dull, never-ending prop bets saga.
Somehow, we’ll survive without Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Here are some of the best — and most fun — picks to make for the Super Bowl:
National Anthem length
Under 1 minute, 59 seconds
(+170): The over is a heavy favorite (-250), likely stemming from Demi Lovato’s 2:11 performance before the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight in 2017. However, Lovato also has sung the anthem in three World Series games, all of which clocked in under 1:59.
Coin toss
Tails (-102): Tails rarely fails, claiming victory in five of the past six Super Bowls.
George Kittle receiving yards
Under 73½, -110:
Playing at less than 100 percent may finally be catching up with the 49ers tight end. In the divisional round, he had 16 yards receiving. In the NFC Championship, Kittle caught one pass for 19 yards.
Total number of Chiefs to score
Over 3½, +100: Kicker Harrison Butker is a given. Patrick Mahomes shouldn’t have trouble finding three more. Maybe, he’ll join in again, too. The Chiefs have had at least four players score in four straight games, while hitting the mark 12 times this season.
Patrick Mahomes rushing yards
Over 30½, -110: Mahomes has rushed for more than 50 yards four times this season. Most importantly, it’s happened in each of the past two games. The playoffs have increased the urgency of last year’s MVP and reduced his need to play it safe. Against a strong 49ers pass rush, Mahomes will have plenty of opportunities to leave the pocket.
Jimmy Garoppolo pass attempts
Under 29½ pass attempts, -110:
San Francisco’s quarterback hasn’t thrown 30 passes in 11 of 18 games this season, including the past four
contests. Robbie Gould points
Over 7½, +100: The 49ers kicker has at least eight points in six straight games and has made 15 straight field goals. The Chiefs sport the league’s eighth-best red-zone defense — allowing touchdowns 51.6 percent of the time — and could give Gould multiple easy opportunities. Tyreek Hill rushing attempts
Over ½, +175: The speedy receiver has at least one carry in eight of his past 11 games, including the Chiefs’ two playoff games. Team with longest kickoff return
Chiefs, -125: Mecole Hardman ranked fifth in the NFL with 26.1 yards per return, including a 104yard touchdown. Largest lead
Under 14½, +110: The game will be close. The game will stay close. First touchdown
Kendrick Bourne (20/1): The undrafted receiver has the 49ers’ only touchdown reception in the playoffs and had a team-high five touchdown catches in the regular season despite his first score coming on Halloween.
Travis Kelce (9/1): Though Kelce had just three catches for 30 yards in the AFC Championship, he put up 10 catches, 134 yards and three touchdowns the week prior. Most appealing is Kelce’s 136 targets. Hill ranks second on the Chiefs, with 89. Puppy Bowl winner
Team Ruff, +100: They came through for me last year, and I haven’t seen anything on tape that gives Team Fluff (-140) the edge. Will Joe Buck or Troy Aikman say “Patriots?”
Yes, +200: It’s going to come up that this is the first Super Bowl in four years without New England.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis points (-1½) over Deebo
Samuel receiving yards: The Lakers stars are a lock to combine for at least 50 points every game. The 49ers rookie receiver has surpassed 50 yards receiving only five times in 18 games this season, including once in his past five outings. Super Bowl MVP
Tyreek Hill (25/1): Remember, three of the past six MVPs haven’t been quarterbacks. Hill is a bigplay threat — his NFL-leading 17 touchdowns of 50 yards or more since 2016 is eight more than the league’s second-best — is due to bust loose and should benefit from Sammy Watkins’ strong postseason. Hill also has added value as a punt returner and has scored four such touchdowns in his career.
Raheem Mostert (8/1): Speaking of due, a running back hasn’t won the MVP since 1998 (Terrell Davis). Mostert has no chance to repeat his 220-year, four-touchdown domination of the NFC Championship, but he averaged 5.75 yards per carry with seven touchdowns in the previous seven games and will earn even more opportunity now. Jimmy Garoppolo (+375) is also a strong play, with great odds for a quarterback — the position has claimed the award 29 times — in a coin-flip game. Whom the MVP mentions first after receiving the award
Winning city, 10/1: Here’s a way to find value on Mahomes winning the MVP. The Chiefs quarterback thanked the fans first after winning the AFC Championship, and the team’s 50-year championship drought presents a greater chance than usual that God, family, teammates and coaches will be recognized afterward. The 49ers haven’t won the title in a quarter-century, and offer the same opportunity.