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.

Early Super Bowl XLIII Prop Bets

If you're looking for some early Super Bowl XLIII (that's 43) prop bets, you've come to the right place.

We're making Stock Lemon your home for Super Bowl proposition betting in 2009 and thought we should go ahead and post some standard prop bets that will be offered for the matcup between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers. (Of course, as we grow closer and closer to kickoff each day, we'll have some of the wackier bets listed as well.)

Here's a general list of what to expect:

First, there are your regular lines. The Steelers are opening at around -6 1/2 or -7 favorites over the Cardinals, but those lines will be different on a quarter-by-quarter basis and updated as the game goes on. The Over/Under is set at around 47. Here are some others you can expect:

• Game line
• Moneyline
• First half line
• First quarter line
• Second quarter line
• Third quarter line
• Fourth quarter line (not including over time)
• Over/Under

Then you get a little more specific:

• Total points scored by the home team (Cardinals)
• Total points scored by the visiting team (Steelers)
• First team to score
• Last team to score
• Will the last team to score win the game?
• Will there be a score in the last two minutes of the first half?
• Will either team score three unanswered times?
• Will there be a score in the first six and a half minutes of the game?
• Which team will have the longest touchdown?
• Will there be a successful two-point conversion?
• Will there be a safety?
• Which half will have the highest point score?
• Which quarter will have the highest point score?
• Will the home team ever have the lead?
• Which team will commit the first turnover?
• Which team will use the coaches' challenge first?
• Which team will be the first to call a timeout?
• Will there be overtime?
• Which team will get the first penalty?

Then, as we inch closer to the game, we'll have plenty of player props:

• Who will have more yards between a Cardinals RB/WR like Edgerrin James and Steelers RB/WR like Willie Parker?
• Who will have more tackles between a Cardinals defender like Adrian Wilson or Steelers defender like Troy Polamalu?
• How many yards will a team's star player like Larry Fitzerald have? (Answers will be in increments: between 1-60, between 60-90, etc.)

Then, of course, there will be the wacky and fun Super Bowl prop bets as well:

• How long will the National Anthem last? (This will be an over/under, usually somewhere between 1:30-2:00. Like last year, it will be sung by another former American Idol, Jennifer Hudson.)
• How many times the announcers will say ____? (Could be the name of a player not involved in the game, for example.)
• How many times will cameras show ____? (Could again be a famous person or player not involved in the game but in attendance.)
• Will this be the highest rated Super Bowl ever? (Game will air on NBC.)
• What color will the liquid poured on the winning coach be? (Multiple Choice.)
• Who will the game MVP thank first?
• What songs will the halftime entertainer sing? (Bruce Springsteen is the halftime performer this year.)
• Will the coin toss be heads or tails?

That's it for now. Hopefully this generic list will suffice. Don't worry, though, plenty more prop bets will be coming, so stay tuned and make sure to check back to Stock Lemon for more updates on your Super Bowl 43 proposition bets for 2009.

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.

Monday Night Football Pick Tonight

As promised, we have a Free NFL Pick for the Monday Night Football Game tonight.

Cardinals -9 1/2 over the 49ers

Larry Fitzgerald and the Cards are in control in the NFC West, and that should continue against the struggling 49ers tonight. Good luck!