Super Bowl LIII: The 10 strangest prop bets for the big game

The Super Bowl is a spectacle. Sure, on the field, the game looks pretty normal. It’s still two teams trying to outmaneuver each other for 60 minutes. Away from the field, though, everything is taken to an extreme level.

That doesn’t just include the pregame ceremonies, halftime show or the week of craziness leading up to the game, it also extends into the gambling world.

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As usual, the Super Bowl provides fans an opportunity to wager their hard-earned gummy bears on the normal, everyday bets typically offered for games. You can bet on whether the New England Patriots — who are favored by three points — will defeat the Los Angeles Rams. You can bet on whether both teams will go over or under the projected line total of 57 points. You can bet on which player will be named Super Bowl MVP.

You can also place some strange and unusual bets on the big game. We’ve decided to highlight 10 of the most outlandish wagers you can make on Super Bowl LIII. All wagers come courtesy of Bovada.

NUMBER OF TIMES TONY ROMO CORRECTLY PREDICTS A PLAY CALL

Let’s start with one that actually might appeal to those planning on intently watching the game. CBS analyst Tony Romo has transitioned seamlessly to the broadcast booth. His commentary is insightful, his enthusiasm is contagious and his ability to predict the future is uncanny.

Romo drew plenty of attention after he nailed 13 of 15 predictions during the AFC championship game. The over/under for the Super Bowl is set at 7.5. Given Romo’s ability to see what Tom Brady saw in the AFC championship game, Romo could try to go for a repeat performance in the Super Bowl.

NUMBER OF REPLAYS WHERE RAMS COACH TED RATH IS PULLING SEAN MCVAY AWAY FROM THE SIDELINE

Yeah, Rams coach Sean McVay has a coach to pull him away from the sideline so he doesn’t get trampled by the refs. Ted Rath is normally the team’s strength coach, but on game days, he becomes the “get-back coach.”

[Watch live: Super Bowl LIII on the Yahoo Sports mobile app, Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET]

During the Rams’ playoff run, Rath was highlighted in a montage-style video that showed him “saving” McVay from danger on the sideline.

The over/under for Super Bowl LIII focuses on how many replays of Rath holding back McVay will be shown on CBS. It’s set at 1.5. Considering the stage, Rath might be more active than usual, but hitting this wager depends on how much CBS decides to show Rath springing into action.

WHAT WILL THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPS BE SERVED AT THE WHITE HOUSE?

This one is pretty simple. Will the Super Bowl champs be served fast food at the White House, or something else?

This is only a thing after President Donald Trump decided to serve McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and some pizza to the Clemson football team while the government was shut down. The government will hypothetically be open when the Super Bowl champs visit, so there could be a more lavish spread for that event. That’s probably why the “any other food” option is the favorite.

HOW MANY TIMES WILL PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TWEET ON THE DAY OF THE SUPER BOWL?

President Donald Trump enjoys tweeting. There’s probably even a good chance he tweets about the Super Bowl. This prop isn’t just looking at that, though. It’s focusing on the total number of tweets Trump sends on the day of Super Bowl LIII. The over/under is set at six. The over is the favorite.

Speaking of Trump, there’s also a prop on whether he’ll be at the big game. No is the heavy favorite there. While a couple presidents have appeared at the Super Bowl, they did so after their presidency was over. George H.W. Bush once attended as the vice president, but that’s it. No sitting president has ever attended the Super Bowl.

NUMBER OF TIMES THE BROADCAST MENTIONS SEAN MCVAY’S AGE

Rams coach Sean McVay is 33. Did you know that? Chances are, you’ll get at least one reminder of it during Super Bowl LIII. Problem is, you’ll need two reminders in order to hit the over. Bovada has listed that prop at 1.5. McVay was hired at 30, and is still the youngest head coach in the NFL. The difference between McVay and Bill Belichick is 33 years.

WILL MARK WAHLBERG ATTEND THE GAME AND LEAVE EARLY?

Mark Wahlberg — famous for being the main attraction of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and star of The Happening (OK, fine, he was also in The Departed) — drew criticism after he left Super Bowl LI when the Patriots were getting blown out by the Atlanta Falcons. Wahlberg missed New England’s incredible comeback, and has faced questions about it ever since.

Wahlberg claims he left the game because his kid was angry. Now that his kid is a few years older, maybe that will be less of an issue. Wahlberg is heavily favored to remain at the game until the clock hits 0:00.

WILL A PLAYER PROPOSE ON THE FIELD AFTER THE SUPER BOWL?

Here’s a trend that has become more popular in recent years. Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa proposed to his girlfriend following the team’s World Series win in 2017. Alabama offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman pulled the same move in 2018.

The trend has already come to the NFL. Chicago Bears lineman Charles Leno Jr. proposed to his girlfriend after the team clinched the NFC North this season.

Will a member of the Patriots or Rams do the same? No is the favorite, according to the oddsmakers.

WHICH COMMERCIAL WILL APPEAR FIRST?

There are a number of props based on whether a certain company will air a commercial before another company. For example, do you think Doritos ad will run before a Pringles ad? You can bet on it.

You can also choose between Audi or Kia, Avocados from Mexico or Planters and Bubly or Pepsi. There’s also a totally separate prop for beer companies. Bud Light is the leader in the clubhouse there over choices like Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois and Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer.

WHAT WILL BE THE FIRST SONG PERFORMED BY MAROON 5 DURING THE HALFTIME SHOW?

If you celebrate Maroon 5’s entire catalogue, you’re in luck. Fans of the band can bet on which song Maroon 5 will lead with to kick off the halftime show. The best odds have been given to “Makes Me Wonder,” which has even odds. If you listened to any radio station in 2007, you’ve definitely heard it.

Some other prime candidates to kick off the show include “One More Night” and “Moves Like Jagger.” Maroon 5 has a number of bangers — we’re using the term loosely — so you have plenty of options here.

WILL THERE BE A “SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS” TRIBUTE AT HALFTIME?

Yes, this is a real thing. Apparently, fans of the show “Spongebob Squarepants” really want Maroon 5 to play “Sweet Victory,” which was used on the show.

The song — which was originally performed by David Glen Eisley — is a banger, and this time we aren’t using that term loosely.

Fans even started a petition for the song to be played. That petition has racked up an incredible 1.1 million signatures.

While it seems like a long shot, Maroon 5 actually put an image of Spongebob in a tweet promoting Super Bowl LIII. It could actually happen!

In fact, Bovada thinks it will happen. Yes is the favorite, proving that we should never underestimate the power of Spongebob.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

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