Just like any football game, you can bet on the Super Bowl point spread, moneyline or total. AFC champion Denver is a 3-point favorite on the Super Bowl lines for Sunday’s game against NFC champion Seattle, with the Broncos at -140 on the moneyline, and a total of 47 that might continue to drop with subfreezing temperatures expected.
However, the best part of Super Bowl online betting is the hundreds of exotics props that books roll out for the biggest betting event of the year. Sportsbooks like Bodog and Bovada are highly recommended and both have some of the most interesting cross-sport props. Here are a two comparisons of Super Bowl odds against other big upcoming events.
Winter Olympics
Hard-core sports bettors always dread the end of football season, and it is the sportsbooks’ most profitable six months or so of the season. This year bettors are treated to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, which begins February 7. The Winter Games aren’t as vast and popular as the Summer Games, but Olympic hockey is hugely popular in North America.
Among the Super Bowl betting odds offered at Bovada are two Olympics vs. Super Bowl ones. The first is the USA gold medal total (+120) against first-half points Sunday by the Broncos (-150). The Americans finished tied for third at the 2010 Games in Vancouver with nine golds. The most the USA has ever won was 10 in 2002 at Salt Lake City. Denver set the NFL record for points this season and averaged 37.9 per game. The Broncos’ offense has slowed down in two playoff games and is averaging 13.5 first-half points.
Meanwhile, Bodog has the total first-half points by the Seahawks (-175 on Super Bowl odds) against the total gold medals by Canada (+145). The Canadians had their best gold-medal haul ever four years ago at Vancouver with 14. It’s a statistical fact that countries generally overachieve when they host the Olympics. Canada’s previous high was seven. Seattle averaged 26.1 points per game during the regular season. The Seahawks are averaging 9.5 points in the first half of two playoff games, which is skewed by only three in the NFC title game.
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is the season-opening race in NASCAR and also the biggest, thus it is called the Super Bowl of the sport. This year’s Daytona 500 is February 23. The current king of NASCAR is Jimmie Johnson, who won his sixth points championship last season. Johnson’s finishing position at this year’s race is -115 against Peyton Manning’s yardage on his first completion (-115). Johnson has raced 24 times at Daytona, including the summer race. He has three wins, including both races in 2013. His average finish overall is 17.5.
While Johnson is the best driver in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt, Jr is the most popular. His finish at Daytona is -115 against Seahawks QB Russell Wilson’s longest rush in the game on Super Bowl lines. Earnhardt has made 28 career starts at Daytona. He has an average finish of 13.8 with two victories.
If you aren’t a big football fan but follow auto racing or Olympic sports, the best Super Bowl betting tips we can give you is to take advantage of this rare opportunity and use that knowledge for the big game.