Many bettors have zoomed in on the spread in the Super Bowl, trying to figure out if the favored New England Patriots or the underdog Philadelphia Eagles are the right choice to cover. While that will likely be the most wagered on bet, there are plenty of other prop bets that can help boost a bettor’s bankroll.
For those who don’t want to wait until the end of the game to figure out if they won or lost, there are a host of wagers that are focused on just the first half of the contest. One focuses on whether or not both teams will hold the lead in the first half.
It is an interesting wager that could be won early in the half, could be decided if one team takes a big lead, or could go down all the way to the end of the half. There are a ton of prop bets for the Super Bowl and this is one of the more interesting choices on the list.
The Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 4, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Will Both Teams Lead During The First Half?
Yes +125
No -155
Odds Analysis
The oddsmakers believe it is more likely than not that only one of the teams holds the lead for the entirety of the first half. While it’s not an overwhelming favorite, it is clear that each side holding on to the lead at some point is the less likely outcome.
For those choosing “yes” it would be a big help if the Eagles can get on the board first to check the box of having the lead. The Patriots are the favorites and the oddsmakers believe they will have the lead by the time the second quarter expires.
Much of this wager could be dependent on the coin flip. Both teams usually defer when given the choice, and bettors who choose “yes” would much prefer Philadelphia receives the opening kickoff. If that happens and the Eagles are able to score on their opening drive, all the Patriots would need to do is overtake them in order to cash in the wager.
If the Patriots receive and score, there seems like a good chance that Philadelphia never leads. Even if the Eagles can pull even once or twice, it won’t be enough to win the bet.
The best-case scenario for those choosing only one team to lead in the first half would be a Patriots touchdown for the first score of the game. The Eagles would have a really tough time making up that deficit before halftime.
If New England gets the ball first, it would increase its odds of holding the lead for the entirety of the first half. The least likely scenario would be for the Eagles to score first and then hold the lead throughout the first half.
Free ATS Pick
The underdog is a good value in this one. While the Patriots are expected to take control at some point, the Eagles are only +4.5 underdogs in this game, which means they could certainly grab a lead at some time in the first half.
Philadelphia needs to strike quickly, because if the Patriots can get ahead it will be tough to come back. Take the Eagles to take an early lead followed by New England to overtake them in the second quarter. A back-and-forth affair will help the unexpected land in this first half prop bet.
NFL First Half Odds: Both Teams Will Lead In The First Half
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