This Year’s Super Bowl, All Eyes on the Quarterbacks

• Many prop bets focus upon Brady & Mahomes besides new in-play wagering involved
• Some great NFL Hall of Fame QB’s never won a Super Bowl nor ever got a second chance
• One look at the Super Bowl MVP prop tells who the game’s fate rests upon Sunday

As we all acknowledge suffering through the pain of COVID-19, we can take some solace in looking forward to a memorable Super Bowl this Sunday with the game’s greatest two-star quarterbacks in charge.

Make way for the man known as the GOAT, or Greatest of All Time, Tom Brady, facing off against who most would agree could be his potential “GOAT” successor looking into the future, Patrick Mahomes.

Of course, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be playing the Kansas City Chiefs and all facets of offense, defense, special teams plus coaching decisions will be crucially important. But it is the quarterback match-up that has taken the spotlight among the media and within our wagering focus as well.

As an example, no less than 12 individual proposition (prop) bets are featured within the DraftKings Sportsbook menu highlighting their head-to-head performance competition.

Currently lists Brady’s over-under for pass completions at 25.5. The line for his passing attempts is set at 39.5. In addition to the Tom Brady prop odds involving his individual stats, there are also props for his chances at winning MVP, scoring the first touchdown, and many, many more to choose from.

That does not count the approximate hundred in-play wagering options that will be available during Super Bowl play that will account for decisions made by both Brady & Mahomes at quarterback.

A Match-up Made for TV and for Sportsbooks as Well

It is as if this was scripted to happen. The legendary old gun vs. the flashy new shooter in town. Both guys are screen idol handsome and guaranteed to draw in a Nielsen record-breaking audience from the most hard-core football fan to the most casual to watch.

Although sports wagering is currently legal in 22 US states plus Washington DC, a few noted operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers have made marketing and advertising investment outside of states they do business in. That investment has incremental bonus reward with mega-stars like Brady and Mahomes leading the way toward new bettors and capturing the most attention possible involving the USA’s biggest marquee event.

Amazingly, Brady has appeared in a record nine Super Bowls, with a tenth appearance scheduled for Super Bowl LV. In his six victories, Brady has also set the record for Super Bowl MVP awards at four.

Some argue that Mahomes achievement could be more impressive. Playing in only four NFL seasons, he already will be appearing in his second Super Bowl, with a victory and an MVP award to his credit over the San Francisco 49ers last year.

But if you really want to measure their remarkable accomplishments, let us look at a few NFL quarterback greats who never wore ONE winning Super Bowl ring. Taking into consideration their place in the NFL Hall of Fame, it is difficult and disrespectful to label them “losers”.

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The Immortal NFL Hall of Fame Four

1.Jim Kelly, Hall of Fame class of 2002.

As talented and fortunate as Brady has been, perhaps this guy inherited the opposite fate. Besides coping with his personal health trauma, Kelly led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls and lost them all!

2.Fran Tarkenton, Hall of Fame class of 1986

His QB passing yard total ranks ninth all-time, but he lost all three of his Super Bowl appearances with the Vikings. Fran scrambled miles with great teams, but never achieved another opportunity.

3.Dan Marino, Hall of Fame class of 2005

Quarterbacks today like Brady, Drew Brees, and Phillip Rivers have only just recently caught up to Marino in terms of touchdown passes and passing yards. Had the Dolphins quarterback won even one Super Bowl, he would be in the discussion for being “The GOAT”. Unfortunately, the Hall of Famer lost his only Super Bowl game and never got another chance.

4.Warren Moon, Hall of Fame class of 2006

Moon finished his career with 105 wins and defined the dual-threat QB, including success in the postseason. He invented the model and role Mahomes seems to be perfecting but Moon was never able to get that coveted Super Bowl to win.

Perhaps a Super Bowl QB Curse?

It almost seems like there is some Super Bowl curse on quarterbacks. Beyond this incredible list of Hall of Fame, QBs are many other exceptionally good ones who also did not get another chance, each losing a Super Bowl game. They include:

• Dan Fouts
• Donovan McNabb
• Vinny Testaverde

Boomer Esiason and/or Ken Anderson of the Cincinnati Bengals

This year’s CBS Super Bowl announcer Tony Romo could also be added to the list, failing to not even make an NFC Championship Game, let alone a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe he believed in this jinx-like fact, making a wise decision to maintain his health for early retirement. Romo has become the sports network’s premiere NFL broadcast analyst, scoring $17 million a year as the #1 earner.

The Best News

The most promising news for both Brady and Mahomes is this likely will not be their last opportunity at winning another Super Bowl, no matter what the outcome this Sunday.

When repeatedly pressed for an answer this week during media day, Brady confessed that should he maintain his health there is no reason he won’t consider playing QB at least until he is 45 years old and who knows how much longer. His Bucs team should be better next season, fortified with extra defensive help while maintaining his arsenal of current weapons on offense.

Patrick Mahomes is only 25 years old and his best years are ahead of him. The Chiefs are beginning to look like a version of Brady’s old New England Patriots squad, ready to begin an AFC dynasty run. The question will be how many more seasons upcoming Hall of Fame head coach Andy Reid wants to stay on.

No doubt we are all tuning in to the Super Bowl this year for several different reasons. But undeniably all eyes are on the NFL’s two greatest stars and who we will remember several years from now.

Need further proof?

Super Bowl MVP Odds

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