Super Bowl XLIII Player Prop Bet Results

We pointed you in the direction of six player props in Super Bowl 43, three for the Cardinals and three for the Steelers. We went 2-0 on the team props, but the player props went about as smoothly as the Cardinals rushing game.

Speaking of which, that's where we'll start. We thought the Edgerrin James would rush for over 49 1/2, given that he's been getting over 20 carries a game for the Cardinals in the playoffs. He had just nine carries and 33 yards. 

We thought that Steve Breaston would be held to under 39 1/2 receiving yards. He finished with six grabs and 71 yards. 

Finally, we thought that at the very least, Larry Fitzgerald would have more catches than Anquan Boldin. Unfortunately, this prop applied to more than just the fourth quarter, and Boldin caught eight balls to Fitzgerald's seven, though Fitz had 43 more yards. 

Final talley on Cardinals props: 0-3. 

Fortunately, the Steelers player props went a little better. 

An injured Hines Ward failed to break 69 1/2 receiving yards, finishing with just 43 on two catches and giving us our lone Steeler player prop bet loss. 

In his absence, somebody had to step up, but we didn't think it would be Nate Washington, so we took under 34 1/2 yards. He finished with just 11 yards on one grab late in the game. 

Mewelde Moore didn't step up either, which was fine by us, as we had him combining for less thatn 27 1/2 receiving and rushing yards. His two touches gave him just ten yards. 

Final talley on Steelers player props: 2-1. 

Combined player props: 2-4.

Combined prop bets: 4-4.

So, there you have it. Those are the results of our prop Bets for the 2009 Super Bowl 43. We already can't wait for Super Bowl 44. 

Super Bowl XLIII Prop Bets: Cardinals Players

Leading up to the Super Bowl, we'll be taking a look at various proposition bets for the 2009 Super Bowl, Super Bowl 43, Super Bowl XLIII, The Big Game, or whatever you want to call it. You can check out previous prop bet analysis on the upper right sidebar.

We've already looked at random prop bets occuring before and after the game, so let's take a look at some of the more favorable bets during the actual game.

We'll start with the Cardinals player props.

Edgerrin James OVER 49 1/2 rushing yards (+135)

Edge averaged just 39 1/2 yards per game in the regular season, so why take this prop? Since James became the feature back again for the Cardinals in Week 17, he's rushed for 100, 73, 57, and 73 yards on 14, 16, 20, and 16 carries. Clearly, he's getting the carries, and is average over 75 yards per game in the process. He needs just 2/3 of that to win this over.

The last three games have all been playoff games, where the Cardinals are relying on the veteran rather than leaving the running duties to the young Tim Hightower as they did for much of the regular season. At +135, the over makes a lot of sense, even against a tough Steelers defense.

Steve Breaston UNDER 39 1/2 receiving yards (+105)

It's easy to say that because Kurt Warner and the Cards like to air it out and spread it out, Breaston will have a big day. Look it this prop more closely, though, and you'll see real value in the under for Breaston.

The second year wideout had a breakout 1,000 yard season, but he hasn't topped 39 1/2 yards in any of the three playoff games, and has broken the barrier just once in his last five games. His playoff performances, in terms of yards, have gotten progressively worse, going from 39 yards to 28 to 10. He's caught just seven balls for 77 yards in the post-season, averaging under 26 yards per game. Again, that's just 2/3 of what he needs in the Super Bowl.

The Cardinals are going with their more experienced wide receivers down the stretch, so we're glad to take this under at +105.

Who will have more catches: Larry Fitzgerald -1/2 (-140) OVER Anquan Boldin

We think Boldin will have himself a nice game, enough to silence his new critics, anyway. But a nice game won't be quite enough to top Larry Fitzgerald, who might be the best receiver in the league, much less the Super Bowl.

In Boldin's two playoff games, he's caught just six balls. Fitzgerald had six receptions in just one game, which happened to be his lowest total in the playoffs, followed by eight and nine catch performances.

Chip on Boldin's shoulder or not, we'll take Fitzgerald's almost 8 playoff catches per game to Boldin's 3, even if Boldin wasn't completely healthy.

Stay tuned this weekend as we take a look at Steelers player props, other in-game team props for both squads, and wrap up our coverage of Super Bowl 43 proposition betting before the Big Game on Sunday.

Cardinals Cover... and Advance to Super Bowl

Big news out of Arizona today, as the Arizona Cardinals have done the unthinkable--covered as a Free NFL Pick this week.

The Cardinals beat the Eagles 32-25, covering the +4 1/2 spread. Oh, and advancing to the Super Bowl.

Although we mentioned the return of Anquan Boldin as being a key to the game, obviuosly the play of Larry Fitzgerald is the main reason we'll be hearing about Kurt Warner's career as a grocery store bagger for the next two weeks.

We still need the Steelers to cover the -6 spread over the Ravens in oder to salvage a .500 playoff record, but we'll enjoy this one for now.

Free NFL Championship Game Picks

Our Free NFL Picks have been unimpressive in the playoffs after an average year, but here are some picks for you to follow blindly anyway.

Cardinals + 4 1/2 over the Eagles

The return of Anquan Boldin should bolster a passing attack that didn't really need any bolstering. We like the road dog in this spot, especially with everybody already pinning the Eagles as this year's Giants.

Steelers -6 over the Ravens

We keep betting against the Ravens and keep paying for it, but while it is hard for a team to beat another team three times in one season, a healthy Willie Parker will make the difference for Pittsburgh. Expect a typical close game early between these two, but in the end, the Steelers should pull away convincingly.

So yes, despite all the success of the road teams in this playoffs, both home teams are Free NFL Picks this week.

Good luck.