In years past, there have been Super Bowls that we’ve tried to pass off as big important deals that really weren’t. Some of them got way too much hype. This year, we have a game that looks like history in the making. The consensus greatest quarterback of all time versus the consensus future greatest quarterback of all time.

You really don’t need any other storylines, and maybe that’s why none have really caught on. Part of it is the fact we don’t have the whole world in Tampa all week. The Chiefs didn’t come in early. Media presence isn’t what it usually would be. But I do think that Brady & Mahomes have sucked up all the oxygen and there really isn’t an appetite for other stories. Antonio Brown trying to sell himself as a victim was met with a collective shrug. Not much else going on except for Andy Reid’s kid getting in trouble and proving why you don’t give your children jobs. Ask my dad how that worked out for him!

This game needs no hype. You’ll all be watching on Sunday night. Odds are you’ll have some money on the line. Fortunately, the Super Bowl has a wider array of prop bets than any other sporting event. There isn’t an aspect of the game that you can’t bet on. We’ll take a look at some of the prop bets via DraftKings Sportsbook, then we’ll look at the game.

Gatorade color dumped on winning coach: Orange (+125) Red (+200) Yellow/Green/Lime (+300) Clear/Water (+350) Blue (+700) Purple (+800)

For the record, I’m a Lemon Lime guy. I won’t be on the sidelines though, so we can’t use that. Here’s a look at what colors teams have used during this century thanks to our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook

2020: Chiefs, Orange
2019: Patriots, Blue
2018: Eagles, Yellow
2017: Patriots, None
2016: Broncos, Orange
2015: Patriots, Blue
2014: Seahawks, Orange
2013: Ravens, None
2012: Giants, Purple
2011: Packers, Orange
2010: Saints, Orange
2009: Steelers, Yellow
2008: Giants, Clear
2007: Colts, Clear
2006: Steelers, Clear
2005: Patriots, Clear
2004: Patriots, None
2003: Buccaneers, Purple
2002: Patriots, None
2001: Ravens, Yellow

Orange has been the most popular choice in the 21st century, and considering that’s what the Chiefs used last year, one would expect that to be their color of choice this year as well. As for the Buccaneers, you’ll note that when the Patriots were able to get Bill Belichick with Gatorade, they had Blue. Tom Brady has enough stroke to have plenty of blue Gatorade on the sideline, so that +700 line looks real good to me.

Any scoring drive to take less time than the singing of the National Anthem: Yes (-335) No (+250)

We got a duet this year! Eric Church & Jazmine Sullivan will be singing the anthem together, so you can count on a longer performance than usual. Two people gotta get their stuff in instead of one. However, Sullivan’s anthems tend to slide in well under the two minute mark. The over/under for the anthem is at 2:01, I think they can get it under.

Doesn’t really matter though, you know one of these teams is going to get a drive under a minute at some point. Especially if it’s a close game and Tom Brady needs some points. Unless Mike Ditka is singing, Yes is the bet here.

Any Field Goal or Extra Point Attempt to hit uprights or crossbar: Yes (+375) No (-590)

We got two really good field goal kickers in this game. Harrison Butker hit 25 of 27 field goals for the Chiefs in 2020, while Ryan Succop was 28 for 31. A potential weakness might be on the extra point…Butker hit 48 of 54 while Succop was 52 for 57. Butker was next to last in the NFL in that category while Succop was sixth from worst. Add in the fact it should be windy, and we might see some foolishness going on here. I might throw some money on Yes.

Jersey Number of Last Touchdown Scorer – Including Overtime: Over 24.5 (-121) Under 24.5 (-103)

Let’s take a look at the candidates:

Kansas City

• Tyreek Hill (10)
• Demarcus Robinson (11)
• Byron Pringle (13)
• Sammy Watkins (14)
• Patrick Mahomes (15)
• Mecole Hardman (17)

Tampa Bay

• Scotty Miller (10)
• Tom Brady (12)
• Mike Evans (13)
• Chris Godwin (14)
• Justin Watson (17)
• Tyler Johnson (18)

You’ve got some pretty good wide receivers with jersey numbers in the teens. Hill definitely wouldn’t be a shock, and there’s three targets there that Brady throws to fairly regularly. You have to watch out for the running backs and tight ends here but I think the Under looks good. Not to mention the QBs could always run the ball in themselves if need be. Brady likes that QB sneak.

Over/Under: 56

Not surprised to see a high number here considering who’s involved. The last two Super Bowls have gone under, but the five prior saw four of them going over. I’m thinking Under is the play. We’ll be talking more about this in a minute.

Super Bowl LV

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

All the hype before games always goes towards the offenses, and that’s especially true heading into this game. Have you heard any other names mentioned by the media besides that of Tom Brady & Patrick Mahomes? Not often. Understandable since we’re talking about the GOAT & the Future GOAT. The coaches, Andy Reid & Bruce Arians, are offensive geniuses. It’s all about the offense.

That being said, this game’s coming down to which defense makes plays. As much as we love to hype up offense, and as easy as the rules make things for offenses, it’s still defense that wins championships.

Tampa’s D looks better on paper, but when you break things down you see where the Chiefs could be a bad matchup for them. The Bucs have the best rushing defense in the league, but their secondary isn’t on the same level. You know Patrick Mahomes is going to throw early & often, rendering that Bucs rush defense moot.

Will home field advantage matter? We’ve never seen it play into a Super Bowl before, except for the year where Jerome Bettis played in Detroit. The attendance will be limited, but it could also be more local than usual since fewer people are coming into town. Something to keep an eye on.

The numbers tell me that Kansas City is the right pick. The numbers never lie, but there’s something pushing me towards Tampa…

Yeah, there’s that.

Give me Brady & the Bucs as a 3 point dog in their building every time regardless of the numbers.