Super Bowl LI Predictions Including Prop Bets

On the eve of Super Bowl LI (51 for those of who are wondering where the Roman numeral X's went), predictions and bets are being placed on just about anything and everything. Not just the score, but things such who scores first, who wins the coin flip, and even the over/under on the time it takes to sing the national anthem. If you're in Las Vegas, these are referred to as prop bets and are all things you can gamble on. You're probably able to place similar bets on sports gambling websites as well.

Not immune to this completely, while not placing money down on these various facets of the game, here is the Millhouse list of Super Bowl LI predictions.

Score/Winner: Falcons 34 Patriots 24...
Many may scoff at this prediction, but look at the facts. The Falcons have a more potent offense than the Patriots. Matt Ryan had a career year, the backfield is full of weapons, and they have possibly their best receiving corps in team history.

On the other hand, many act like Tom Brady is the best quarterback ever. Sportscasters have been pointing out that Brady is extremely accurate, throwing only two interceptions the whole season. What many don't want to see is that Brady averages an interception every game when it comes to the playoffs. That's not counting the fumbles (or non-fumbles if you're a Raiders fan). Brady isn't the clutch-performer many think he is. Add that to the fact that he lost Rob Gronkowski, his favorite target, to injury and you can see that the passing game of the Patriots is potentially flawed. Add that to the poor running game they've displayed in the playoffs this year (Lewis 2.7 yards-per-carry; Blount 3.3 yards-per-carry; Brady -2 yards total) and there are holes everywhere for the Falcons defense to expose.

MVP: Matt Ryan...
People love voting for the winning quarterback as an MVP in the Super Bowl. Matt Ryan is poised to be that MVP while throwing to targets such as Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and to his backs in the flat.

First Score: The Patriots when Tom Brady hits Chris Hogan...
Despite scoring first, they won't be able to stop the Falcons from scoring more.

First Play: A 2-yard run up the middle by LaGarrette Blount.

First Turnover: Ricardo Allen intercepts a Tom Brady pass.

First Sack: Vic Beasley sacks Tom Brady.

First to Challenge a Play: Bill Belichick in the second quarter

Score at Halftime: Falcons 14 Patriots 14

Leading Rusher: Devonta Freeman with 108 yards rushing.

Leading Receiver: Julio Jones with 138 yards receiving.

First Song Lady Gaga will Perform at Halftime: "Just Dance" seems like a good song to get the energy flowing, but "Born this Way" may end up being the winner with the political atmosphere in the United States and her stance on LGBTQ rights.

Guest Singer Most Likely to Sing Along with Lady Gaga: Tony Bennett.

Length of Luke Bryan's National Anthem Performance: Not being the same time of singer that Lady Gaga or even Whitney Houston is, Luke Bryan will most likely sing the national anthem straight up and not embellish on it. A good number would be 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

Heads or Tails: Tails...but I could be wrong and it could be heads.

Color of sports drink (Gatorade) that is Poured on Winning Coach's Head: Red

Chance Donald Trump will Mention the Super Bowl: He already has, promoting an interview he's doing on Fox News with Bill O'Reilly just before the Super Bowl. Beyond that, if the Patriots do win, Trump will almost definitely congratulate his buddy, Tom Brady.

Miscellaneous Stats: Matt Ryan 330 yards passing along with 3 touchdown passes; Tom Brady 368 yards passing along with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions; Devonta Freeman 108 yards rushing and 32 receiving along with a rushing touchdown; Tevin Coleman 48 yards rushing and 3 receptions for 67 yards including one touchdown reception; Chris Hogan 7 receptions for 123 yards and 1 touchdown reception; Julio Jones 138 yards receiving from 10 receptions and one touchdown reception; Deion Jones 41 yards rushing; Julian Edelman 5 receptions for 110 yards receiving and 1 touchdown reception; Taylor Gabriel 4 receptions for 52 yards; Vic Beasley 6 tackles along with 1 sack; Dont'a Hightower 7 tackles; Stephen Gostkowski 1 for 2 in field goals; Matt Bryant 2 for 2 in field goals

Patriots Show Disrespect to Bills

Looks like the New England Patriots are at it again. In their last game against rival Buffalo Bills the Patriots ran right through the middle of the Bills' pregame warmups. Is there a specific rule against this? No. It's a matter of respect...or disrespect in this case.

Every year the Patriots find themselves embroiled in a new controversy. Deflategate being one of the most recent ones which led to Tom Brady being suspended for the first four games of this season.

Another being that multiple visiting teams have complained their headsets don't work when they visit Gillette Stadium. It isn't until a referee checks that they magically begin to work again. If a team's headset doesn't work, the other team is supposed to go without their headsets as well to even up the odds. Opposing coaches have complained that they hear the radio broadcast of the game instead of their coordinators.

Somehow, despite constantly pulling things that would dirty the image of any other team, the Patriots seem to be able to shed the dirt and remain a favorite of millions of fans. How? Maybe it's because they win. It would be hard for the NFL to come down on a team that brings them millions of dollars in revenue. Plus Patriots owner Robert Craft and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell are known to be good friends.

Now this...

For whatever reason, the Patriots ran right through the Bills pregame warmups, disrespecting their rival in the process. But why? There was no reason other than the Patriots decided to be punks. It's doubtful that the whole team had an airheaded moment at once and accidentally did this.

These two teams will face each other again this season. The Bills have already publicly said that if the Patriots do this again, retaliation will be a guarantee. And who could blame them? If the Patriots do it again, they deserve to get their butts kicked.

Will it happen again? Who knows.