Super Bowl LII Party Props – Everything You Need to Know
There’s plenty of hype surrounding the 2018 Super Bowl between the NFC’s Philadelphia Eagles and the AFC’s New England Patriots. While the game itself will be a hard-fought, close matchup, fans will be having a good time with their friends and family at watch parties around the country. The food, drinks, and commercials will be fun, but the real thrill will come from friendly wagers on the Super Bowl Party Prop Sheet (downloadable above), which involves the game, players, halftime performers, and other exotic topics.
Below, our writers break down ALL 26 SUPER BOWL PROPS from the sheet. Included are data, analysis, and our experts’ predictions, all leading you to a successful Super Bowl experience. Along with predictions are confidence levels (very low, low, moderate, high, and very high).
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1.
How long will it take P!nk to sing the National Anthem?
OVER/UNDER 2.00
DATA:
National Anthem Times for Past 10 Super Bowls:
ANALYSIS: With the line set just below the 10-year average, this is a close call. The past 4 of 5 anthems have been over 2:00, and P!nk has a tendency to sing longer songs such as her 2017 hit “What About Us”, which is 4:31. Because of this, we lean towards her anthem lasting longer than 2:00.
PREDICTION | Over
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Low
2.
Will P!nk be airborne at any point during her singing of the National Anthem?
YES/NO
DATA: In past 10 Super Bowls, 0/10 anthem performers were airborne during the anthem.
ANALYSIS: While airborne concerts are becoming more and more popular, P!nk is very unlikely to buck the trend during the anthem on the biggest stage. Expect her to stay on the ground or on a platform during the anthem.
PREDICTION | No
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | High
3.
What will the result of the coin toss be?
HEADS/TAILS
DATA: In Super Bowl History, 53% of coin flips have resulted in heads (and 47% in tails).
ANALYSIS: There’s no truer odds than a coin flip, so this is a 50/50 gamble.
PREDICTION | Tails
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very Low
4.
Who will win the coin toss?
EAGLES/PATRIOTS
DATA: In NFL History, the NFC team has won the toss 69% of the time. In fact, the NFC won 14 years in a row from 1998 to 2011. In the Belichick Era, consisting of 7 Super Bowl appearances, the Patriots have LOST the coin toss 6/7 times.
ANALYSIS: A coin has no memory and the odds are 50/50, but there is a trend here with Belichick’s Patriots not having great luck with Super Bowl coin flips.
PREDICTION | Eagles
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Low
5.
Which coach will be mentioned first on TV after kickoff?
DOUG PEDERSON/BILL BELICHICK
DATA: In 4/7 Super Bowls, the Patriots’ Bill Belichick has been mentioned first. This is Doug Pederson’s first Super Bowl appearance.
ANALYSIS: Often the announcers mention the more controversial and newsworthy coach first, which in this case would be Belichick. Other times, announcers will discuss the coach who’s had a surprising season first, which is Doug Pederson. This prop is a true mystery with no apparent data trends.
PREDICTION | Pederson
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very Low
6.
What will the first offensive play of the game be?
RUN/PASS
DATA: In the past 10 Super Bowls, the first play has been a pass 70% of the time (and a run 30% of the time). In Tom Brady’s 7 Super Bowls, the first play of the game was a pass 100% of the time. In Nick Foles’ 5 starts this year, the first play of the game was a pass 100% of the time. In the Patriots 16 regular season (2017) games, the first play was a pass 6/16 weeks (37.5%). In the Patriots 2 playoff games in 2018, the first play was a pass 2/2 weeks (100%).
ANALYSIS: In Super Bowl history and Patriots Super Bowl history, the first play has typically been a pass. If the Eagles receive the ball first, they are very likely to pass, while if the Patriots get the ball first, it’s a toss-up as to what they’ll do. If you think the Eagles will win the coin toss, pass is the correct choice here. If you think the Patriots will win the toss, it’s a close call between run and pass.
PREDICTION | Pass
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Moderate
7.
Which team will commit the first penalty of the game?
EAGLES/PATRIOTS
DATA: This season, the Eagles rank 10th in most penalties committed, averaging 6.9 a game.
This season, the Patriots rank 31st in most penalties committed, averaging only 5.6 a game.
ANALYSIS: The Patriots are a much more disciplined team, averaging less penalties than the Eagles. However, on a big stage, tensions are high and anything can happen in terms of player discipline. Expect Belichick’s stone-cold troops to be the cleaner team in this game, with the Eagles likely to commit the first penalty (and more total penalties in the game).
PREDICTION | Eagles
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | High
8.
Will there be a score in the first 6 minutes 30 seconds of the game?
YES/NO
DATA: In 5 of the past 10 Super Bowls, a team has scored in the first 6:30 of the game.
In 7 Super Bowls with Brady at QB, the Patriots have never scored in the first 6:30.
With Foles under center this year (5 games), the Eagles did not score in the first 6:30 once.
The Patriots scored in the first 6:30 in 9/18 games this year (50%).
ANALYSIS: In Super Bowl history, Brady has struggled to score in the beginning of games and this year, Foles hasn’t been scoring at the beginning of games either. Don’t expect either team to score early on in this matchup.
PREDICTION | No
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Moderate
9.
What will the first scoring play of the game be?
TOUCHDOWN/FIELD GOAL OR SAFETY
DATA: In the past 10 Super Bowls, the first score has been a TD 4 times and a FG/safety 6 times. Under Foles this season, the Eagles first score has always been a TD (4/4 games in which they scored, they didn’t score vs. Dallas in week 17). This season the Patriots have scored a TD first in 13/18 games (72.2%).
ANALYSIS:
The Super Bowl is known to be high pressure with weird events (like safeties) occurring, but both the Eagles and Patriots have been efficient in the Red Zone this year, scoring TDs rather than FGs early on. Expect the first score of this game to be a touchdown, with the Eagles or Patriots celebrating in the end zone.
PREDICTION | Touchdown
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | High
10.
Which team will score first?
EAGLES/PATRIOTS
DATA: Under Nick Foles, the Eagles have taken an average of 14.4 minutes to score (0:36 left in first quarter). This season, the Patriots are averaging a score in the first 9.69 minutes of games (5:31 left in first quarter).
ANALYSIS: Outside of two weeks ago against Minnesota, the Eagles have struggled mightily to move the ball early on with Foles under center. The Patriots may not win the game, but they’re the likely team to score first, despite Brady’s past Super Bowl struggles to score early on.
PREDICTION | Patriots
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Moderate
11.
Which team will record the first QB sack?
EAGLES/PATRIOTS
DATA: This season, the Eagles are averaging 2.375 sacks per game (15th most in NFL).
This season, the Patriots are averaging 2.635 sacks per game (7th most in NFL).
ANALYSIS: Even though the Eagles are entering this game as the hottest defensive unit in football, their dominance has been more about shutting down the run than sacking the quarterback. The first sack could come as early as the first drive as neither QB is very mobile, so this one is a toss-up for sure. We give the edge to the Patriots just because of their better track record with sacks in 2017.
PREDICTION | Patriots
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very Low
12.
What will be the result of the first coach’s challenge?
OVERTURNED/STANDS
DATA: In the past 10 Super Bowls, 8 challenges have been “overturned” and 6 challenges have “stood”. This season, the Eagles have had 3 of 6 challenges “overturned”. This season, the Patriots have had 2 of 4 challenges “overturned”.
ANALYSIS: There aren’t any clear trends to follow here. This season the referees have been placed under scrutiny for questionable calls, so your guess is as good as ours for this. We’ll take “overturned” with very little confidence or data to back it up.
PREDICTION | Overturned
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very Low
13.
What color will Justin Timberlake’s shoes be when he begins his halftime performance?
WHITE/ANY OTHER COLOR
DATA: In his 2004 Super Bowl halftime performance, Timberlake sported tan shoes.
Historically, he has been a fan of white or black shoes.
ANALYSIS: There’s not a lot of data pointing to Timberlake wearing white shoes, so the safe bet is the “other”.
PREDICTION | Other
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | High
14.
Will Zach Ertz score a touchdown?
YES/NO
DATA: Ertz scored in 7/14 regular season games this year (50%). Ertz did not score in either playoff game.
ANALYSIS: Ertz is the Eagles’ top red zone target, so it’s surprising that he hasn’t found the end zone yet in the playoffs. Expect Ertz to cap off the best year of his career with at least one touchdown in Minnesota.
PREDICTION | Yes
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Moderate
15.
Will Danny Amendola score a touchdown?
YES/NO
DATA: Amendola scored in just 2/15 regular season games this year (13.3%). Amendola scored in 1 of 2 playoff games, logging 2 TDs against the Jaguars in the AFCCG.
ANALYSIS: Do you believe in the hot hand? Streakiness? We do. Brady has relied on Amendola’s sure-hands down the stretch and that won’t stop anytime soon. In a game of this magnitude, Brady will be sending plenty of targets to ole-reliable Danny “Playoff” Amendola.
PREDICTION | Yes
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | High
16.
Will anyone other than Brady or Foles take a snap at QB in the game?
YES/NO
DATA: Nick Foles has logged all but three snaps at QB for the Eagles in the playoffs. Nate Sudfeld was in for three plays at the end of the NFCCG against the Vikings, only to take a knee three times in a blowout. Tom Brady has logged every single snap at QB so far in the playoffs for the Patriots. In each of Brady’s 7 Super Bowl starts, no other player has taken a snap for the Patriots under center.
ANALYSIS: If you think it will be a blowout in Minnesota, then choose yes. However, we think this game will be close, keeping Brady and Foles in the game under center. As history has shown, “Big Game Belichick” isn’t likely to pull any trickery at the QB position against the Eagles.
PREDICTION | No
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very High
17.
Will there be a successful two-point conversion in the game?
YES/NO
DATA: In the past 10 Super Bowls, 7/10 games have had a two-point attempt, and 5 games have had successful two-point conversions.
This season, the Eagles converted 6/9 two-point attempts.
This season, the Patriots converted just 2/2 two-point attempts.
ANALYSIS: Both teams are likely to succeed if they attempt a two-point conversion. The question is will a situation arise where the two-point play is needed? All signs point to this matchup being very close, so we predict a team will be attempting a two-point conversion. Both teams are good enough at the 2-point play that if it happens, it will succeed.
PREDICTION | Yes
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | High
18.
Will Tom Brady throw an interception?
YES/NO
DATA: In 7 Super Bowls, Brady has thrown an INT in 4 games (57.1%). In fact, he has thrown an INT in the past three Super Bowls. This season, Brady threw an INT in 7/18 games (38.9%). This season, the Eagles defense recorded an INT in 11/18 games (61.1%).
ANALYSIS: An aging Brady and a powerful, hot Eagles defense is a recipe for turnovers. Expect at least one interception, potentially in a crucial moment, for Tom Brady.
PREDICTION | Yes
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Moderate
19.
How many passing yards will Nick Foles have?
OVER/UNDER 235.5 yards
DATA: In the regular season, Nick Foles averaged 146.3 passing yards per game.
In the playoffs, Nick Foles averaged 299 passing yards per game. In the regular season, the Patriots defense allowed 251.3 passing yards per game, the 3rd worst rate in the NFL. In the playoffs, the Patriots defense allowed 237.5 yards per game.
ANALYSIS: Playoff Nick Foles has been a totally different animal than regular season Nick Foles, as he has had time to settle in to the starting quarterback job. We think the over/under should be set around 265 yards for Foles in this game, so we’re taking the over easily.
PREDICTION | Over
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very High
20.
Who will record more receiving yards?
Alshon Jeffery/Brandin Cooks
DATA:
Alshon Jeffery averaged 49.3 yards per game in the regular season.
Brandin Cooks averaged 67.6 yards per game in the regular season.
Alshon Jeffery averaged 73 yards per game in the playoffs.
Brandin Cooks averaged 66 yards per game in the playoffs.
Eagles defense allowed 227.3 passing yards per game in the regular season.
Patriots defense allowed 251.3 passing yards per game in the regular season.
Eagles defense allowed 229 passing yards per game in the playoffs.
Patriots defense allowed 237.5 passing yards per game in the playoffs.
ANALYSIS: Based on the defenses, Jeffery has a better matchup going up against a weaker Patriots secondary. In terms of production, Jeffery is the hotter hand of the two, while Cooks has been a boom-or-bust player in both the playoffs and regular season. If you want to root for the big play, go with Cooks. If you want a guy who will get 7-9 targets and has a high floor, roll with Jeffery. We’ll take the safer play in Jeffery.
PREDICTION | Jeffrey
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Low
21.
Who will record more rushing yards?
Jay Ajayi/Dion Lewis
DATA:
Jay Ajayi averaged 58.3 yards per game in the regular season as an Eagle.
Dion Lewis averaged 56 yards per game in the regular season.
Jay Ajayi averaged 63.5 yards per game in the playoffs.
Dion Lewis averaged 48 yards per game in the playoffs.
ANALYSIS: Although Dion Lewis was on fire towards the end of fantasy season, Jay Ajayi has become the focal point of the Philly offense down the stretch. Lewis is currently rotating with now-healthy Rex Burkhead and Super Bowl LI star James White, which has reduced his production during the playoffs. Although the Eagles rotate running backs as well, the Patriots will likely rely on Burkhead and White just as much as Lewis, making Ajayi the obvious pick here.
PREDICTION | Ajayi
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very High
22.
What will be the longest successful field goal of the game?
OVER/UNDER 47.5 yards
DATA: In the past 10 Super Bowls, there have been 26 successful kicks, none of which have been from over 47 yards. In his 4 Super Bowl appearances, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has never made a 48+ yard kick. This season, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott kicked a FG over 47 yards in 6/17 games (35.3%). This season, Gostkowski kicked a FG over 47 yards in 4/18 games (22.2%).
ANALYSIS: All signs point to the under here. The two kickers aren’t hitting from 48+ yards often, and long kicks haven’t occurred in the Super Bowls of recent history. We’re all in on the under.
PREDICTION | Under
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very High
23.
Which team will score last?
EAGLES/PATRIOTS
DATA: In the past 10 Super Bowls, the winning team has scored last 9 times.
ANALYSIS: Whichever team wins the game will likely score last. Choose the same team here that you do for prop #25.
PREDICTION | Patriots
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Low
24.
How many times will Gisele Bundchen be shown on TV during the broadcast?
OVER/UNDER 1.5
DATA: Last year, the line was set at 1.5 and the “over” won.
ANALYSIS: This is a dart throw, but odds are Tom Brady’s wife will be both mentioned and shown multiple times over the course of the 3+ hour broadcast. The over will definitely be hit if the Patriots receivers have a lot of drops, just like in Super Bowl XLVI against the Giants (just ask Wes Welker).
PREDICTION | Over
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Very Low
25.
Which team will win the Super Bowl?
EAGLES/PATRIOTS
DATA: Las Vegas has the Patriots slated as 4.5 point favorites.
ANALYSIS: The top NFC team against the top AFC team. The GOAT against a career backup QB. A legendary franchise against one still reaching for their first Super Bowl ring. It’ll be a close one. We’re taking the Patriots by 3 points, 23-20.
PREDICTION | Patriots
CONFIDENCE LEVEL | Low
**Ben Schragger and Jeff Wiley did not contribute to this article