2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) Prop Bet: The Black Eyed Peas (Fergie) Halftime Show

Leading up to the 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, we'll be taking a look at Super Bowl proposition betting, or more specifically, the fun or funny Super Bowl 45 (XLV) prop bets that you hear so much about. That includes props on the Super Bowl coin toss, Super Bowl halftime show, Super Bowl National Anthem, Super Bowl postgame Gatorade Shower dump and much more. Follow along on the Super Bowl sidebar to the right!

Our Super Bowl prop betting extravaganza continues with more 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) prop bets that may or may not have anything to do with the actual game between the Steelers and Packers. OK, scratch that, they ABSOLUTELY have nothing to do with the actual game--but isn't that exactly what makes Super Bowl prop betting so fun? Yes, yes it is.

After roughly 30 minutes of actual football are played on Super Sunday, Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas will perform at the 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) Halftime Show. This is quite possibly reason No. 3 why so many people tune into the Super Bowl (behind the game and the commercials, of course), and it would be a shame if we went on with our prop betting analysis without mentioning the Black Eyed Peas prop bets. Or, more to the point, the prop bets relating to Fergie's outfit.

Because the Super Bowl Halftime Show, for seemingly the first time since we all saw Janet Jackson's nipple, has gone with an artist under the age of 84, the Black Eyed Peas don't have as many tunes as previous halftime acts. Since it is a certainty that they play hit songs like "I Gotta Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow," the traditional halftime act prop bet of "Which songs will (artist) perform at halftime" are out the window. Leaving us with props about the main singer's wardrobe.

We would be upset about this, but at this point bookies know that people (ourselves included) will bet on any Super Bowl prop they throw out there. Basically, we'll take what we can get.

There are two props that are widely available pertaining to Fergie's halftime outfits, and only one of them is legitimate. That said, let's get this time waster out of the way:

Will Fergie be dressed as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader at any point during the Halftime show?

Must be completely dressed as an authentic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for Yes to be graded as the winner.
Yes +500

5/1 odds? That's it? Are you kidding? This is an example of a throwaway prop bet, as we discussed earlier, and should be avoided at all costs. The books sucker thousands of people into taking these bets, offering outlandish scenarios that somehow seem plausible and offering only one option to bet on, because if the other were available, it would get pounded by anyone with a brain. So no, Fergie will not be wearing a Cowboys cheerleading outfit at the Super Bowl halftime act.

The main Fergie wardrobe prop bet gets more specific:

What will Fergie be wearing when she first appears on stage during the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Wager is on what she is wearing first on stage. If she is not wearing any of the above all wagers will be No Action.
Skirt/Dress: EVEN
Pants (Below Knees): EVEN
Shorts (Above Knees): +350
Thong/G-String/Bikini Bottom: +1000

Even in this more detailed prop, there are options you can eliminate right away. The last option would almost certainly be nixed by the NFL, wanting to avoid any and all controversial wardrobes that may be conducive to a malfunction. OUT. The Shorts option is possible, just highly unlikely, also OUT.

So that leaves us with a 50/50 choice, appropriately given EVEN odds each. And while we can easily see a skirt or dress, we feel that there is a better than 50 percent chance that Fergie comes out rocking some tight leather pants instead. Fergie, while very attractive, is 35 years old. She's been dressing very conservatively at her more recent concerts with Black Eyed Peas, at least comparatively speaking, and we think she does so on the biggest stage she has ever played.

Of course, she might come out with no top on whatsoever, but the bottoms will probably be pants.

2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) Prop Bet: The Jerry Jones Camera Shots

Leading up to the 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, we'll be taking a look at Super Bowl proposition betting, or more specifically, the fun or funny Super Bowl 45 (XLV) prop bets that you hear so much about. That includes props on the Super Bowl coin toss, Super Bowl halftime show, Super Bowl National Anthem, Super Bowl postgame Gatorade Shower dump and much more. Follow along on the Super Bowl sidebar to the right!

As we continue to bring you the best 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) Prop Bet analysis on the web, we're reminded that all of our prop bets will be taking place in Cowboys stadium--aka the House that Jerry built.

The stadium is so massive that it is actually a big part of the storyline in this year's Super Bowl, and as such Jerry Jones has been all over the news promoting an even (the Super Bowl, duh) that doesn't need promoting.

So when game time actually arrives, will Jerry Jones continue to be plastered all over the TV?

Let's take a look at this prop bet involving Cowboys owner Jerry Jones:

How Many Times will FOX show Jerry Jones on TV during the Game?
Wager is on the number of times Jerry Jones will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only, Any Taped Pictures or Past Video does not count towards wager.
Over 2.5 (-135)
Under 2.5 (-105)

Like the prop bet involving Brett Favre being mentioned, this prop bet feasts on the casual football fans who have been hearing about Jerry Jones all week on CNN, or whatever channel casual football fans usually have turned on (weather?). And much like the Favre prop, we think that this will all end on Super Sunday--or at least from the kickoff until the final whistle, as the prop requires.

Jerry Jones might get a shot or two of TV time, but the story no longer becomes about him during game day. Many of these enticing prop bets become obsolete during the 4 hours or so that a game/halftime performance actually occurs. And, again like the Favre prop, so many public bettors pound the over on these bets that you can actually get better odds on the right play--the under.

A Jerry Jones sighting seems likely, but we wouldn't even bet to see him once during the game. When the media is no longer desperate for stories as they are for the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl (team photos, really?), all the backstories disappear--as well Jerry Jones when the television cameras come around.

UNDER 2.5 is the play, despite what the public action might say.

We're going to kick things into overdrive in the next couple days, with several 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) Prop Bets per day instead of our usual one or two. It's the Super Bowl, and as we mentioned, that means quantity over quality winning out in pre-game stories.

2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) Prop Bet: The Cowboys Stadium Scoreboard

Leading up to the 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, we'll be taking a look at Super Bowl proposition betting, or more specifically, the fun or funny Super Bowl 45 (XLV) prop bets that you hear so much about. That includes props on the Super Bowl coin toss, Super Bowl halftime show, Super Bowl National Anthem, Super Bowl postgame Gatorade Shower dump and much more. Follow along on the Super Bowl sidebar to the right!

Sucker bet alert! Sucker bet alert!

We post this next prop as more of a public service announcement than anything else. You'll find plenty of funny and wacky props to bet on during 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45), but stray from prop bets like this one: the scoreboard prop.

These props, and there are plenty of them, will give you an outlandish scenario and an enticing line, such as this one:

Will a punt hit the scoreboard during the game?
Yes +1000

The odds are so against the occurrence, that "No" is not even offered as an option. Your choice is Yes or not to play. And you shouldn't play.

This particular prop could see a lot of public action, as the Cowboys Stadium scoreboard received plenty of publicity. Look at that thing, for crying out loud. It's HUGE!

Of course, back in the preseason, Titans punter A.J. Trapasso made headlines when he knocked a kick into Jerry Jones' brand new toy in his brand new billion dollar stadium. Trapasso, a camp body in every sense of the word, had stated his intent to do so in the exhibition game against the Cowboys, as he had done several times in warm-ups.

Sure enough, his attempt worked, resulting in, as Joe Buck rightly points out, a backyard-style do-over. That's all well and good in a preseason game, but could you imagine that happening in the Super Bowl?

The above punt resulted in a saga between the NFL and Jerry Jones, in which Jones refused to raise the scoreboard, as it met the league's requirements on scoreboard height. Months later, we have ourselves a prop bet.

We mean this as no disrespect to Packers punter Tim Masthay or Steelers punter Jeremy Kapinos, but this is definitely a bet that you shouldn't make. And we don't say that about many Super Bowl proposition wagers. Masthay or Kapinos would have to purposefully strike a ball into the oversized TV above the field, and while someone might do that in a preseason game when his tenure with the team is coming to an end anyway, there is now way Masthay or Kapinos would pull something like that in the biggest game of the year just to prove a point.

Don't bet on this prop, and don't bet on several others that don't even give you "No" as an option. What you can bet on is us continuing our coverage of 2011 Super Bowl XLV (45) prop bets throughout the next week leading up to the Big Game. And you can also bet on the several props we've already analyzed, simply by clicking the appropriate link on the right sidebar.

Let's Begin Our Fantasy...

We promise our Fantasy Football predictions are on the way, but allow us to buy some more time by posting a picture of a different football fantasy.

Today, we are all Cowboys fans.

Another Saturday Free NFL Pick

We have our second of two Free NFL Picks today, and just like our earlier pick, we are going with the team who lost the same matchup last week.

Eagles +4 over the Cowboys

Good luck and enjoy the NFL Playoffs!

Free NFL Picks Pick Up Steam

We had mixed results in week one of the NFL season, eventually finishing a record nine-game card with a losing 4-5 record.

The volume of picks will likely be reduced as we become even more selective with a usually picky Free NFL Picks system, so don't expect to have such a crazy Sunday every week.

After an 0-1 start on Thursay, our Free NFL Picks wound up 4-4 on Sunday for an unspectacular 4-5 week.

The Packers 21-15 win over the Bears on Sunday night salvaged our day with a -3 1/2 spread. Prior to the nightcap, the Vikings crushed the -4 1/2 spread and the Browns with a 34-20 win; the Cowboys covered a -6 spread in a 34-21 victory over the Buccaneeers; and the Broncos, who already had a +4 1/2 cover secured, went on to a miraculous 12-7 triumph over the Bengals.

In all, we had a good end to a shaky weekend, but we look forward to a winning week two.

Week One Free NFL Picks: Part Two

Maybe it's because it's week one and we're playing some games that we wouldn't if we weren't so jacked up about the start of another NFL season, or maybe these games are just as easy as they appear. Either way, we're just following our Free NFL Picks system that went 58% last year and are hoping for better results this year.

In addition to the four picks in Part One and one on Thursday, we have four more picks--nine total! In all, we're playing eight of the 16 games this week, a Stock Lemon record. We'll find out if that's a good or bad thing on Sunday.

Vikings -4 1/2 over the Browns

Colts -7 over the Jaguars

Cowboys -6 over the Buccaneers

Packers -3 1/2 over the Bears

Good luck and enjoy the first Sunday of the NFL season!

Sunday Night Free NFL Pick

Just one play this week, although a Monday Free NFL Pick is still a possibility.

Giants +3 over the Cowboys

The Cowboys need it more and are at home, yeah yeah, but the Giants aren't about to lose back-to-back games. 

Good luck!

Advice From Brett Favre

You might have heard a little rumor earlier today that Jets QB Brett Favre contacted the Lions to dish out the goods on his former team prior to Detroit's Week 2 meeting with the Packers. What we've learned, though, is that Favre didn't stop with the Lions. In fact, he gave out plenty of advice to team's before Week 7. Here's what we've learned:

To the New Orleans Saints: I have the consecutive start streak record for quarterbacks, did you know that? Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey will be fine. Knee injuries and sports hernias are nothing to worry about--I'm sure they won't aggravate them. I broke me thumb once, and I played. Did I mention I have the record for most starts?

To the Dallas Cowboys: Brad Johnson's won as many Super Bowls as I have, so he must be good. Trust me, you won't need Tony Romo this week.

To the Indianapolis Colts: Look, Peyton Manning, double coverages are your friends. I've thrown so many balls in practice against this secondary, and, well, they've all been picked. But don't let that stop you from throwing to guys that are clearly covered. These safeties are a joke. By the way, if you want to miss a start at any time soon, that'd be great, because that consecutive start streak is mine!

To Stock Lemon: Take the Cowboys, Saints, and Colts this week.

So, yeah, we blame Brett Favre.

Three Free NFL Picks For Sunday

Our Free NFL Picks have been hot this year, hitting 71% with a record of 12-5-1. Once again, we have three picks this week, although that is more of a coincidence than anything. We're also coming off of a 3-0 week, so bet with confidence in our system. Without further adu, here are the picks:

Cowboys -7 over the Rams

Colts -1 1/2 over the Packers

Saints +3 over the Panthers

Even if Tony Romo sits out the Cowboys/Rams game, Marian Barber will run all over the Rams defense. The Rams are coming off a big win over the Redskins last week and will come crashing back down to Earth against Dallas.

Our system also likes the Colts, who seem to have their offense back, as well as the Saints, who continue to get no respect despite the fact that they could easily be 5-1 if not for some questionable officiating/horrible kicking. We expect all three of these road teams to win outright and cover their respective spreads.

Of course, all of our picks are documented, for the non-believers, simply by clicking on the Free NFL Picks tag at the bottom of this post. For the shorter version, here's a week-by-week breakdown of our NFL picks to date:

Week 1: 3-2

Week 2: 2-1

Week 3: 2-1

Week 4: 2-1

Week 5: 0-0-1

Week 6: 3-0

Total: 12-5-1... 71%

Good luck and enjoy another Sunday!

Small Monday Night Free NFL Pick

After a perfect 2-0 day with our Free NFL Picks on Sunday, we have to come back for an encore. Therefore, we have a small play tonight that fits our system.

Dallas Cowboys/Philadelphia Eagles UNDER 48

Although both teams are loaded with offensive weapons, our numbers indicate a defensive struggle for tonight.

The Eagles defense should be able to keep Tony Romo and the explosive Cowboys offense in check, while Terrell Owens name-calling should keep Donovan McNabb from putting up big numbers.

It should be a great game, so sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice Monday Night under to end your football week.

Favre Named Madden '94 Cover Athlete

Madden '94, a John Madden's football video game for Super Nintendo that allows users to play a full 16-game NFL schedule with all 28 teams, has announced its cover athlete.

Rather than choose a proven star like Super Bowl winning quarterback Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys, Madden decided to name little-known Packers quarterback Brett Favre (pronounced fay-ver) as its cover boy.

Favre has played just one season with the Packers, throwing 18 touchdown passes and leading the team to a 9-7 record in 1992 after starter Don Majkowski went down with an injury. Prior to that, he played briefly with the Atlanta Falcons before being traded to Green Bay.

Critics say that Favre's career won't last long due to his poor throwing mechanics and a drinking habit that caused him to miss the team picture his rookie year in Atlanta. Perhaps the Madden game would have been better off with a more promising quarterback on its cover, like the young Tommy Maddox of the Denver Broncos.

Time will tell if the video game made the right choice. In the meantime, we only hope this cover won't jinx the young Favre in any way.