NFL Super Bowl XLIV Odds to Score First TD

The NFL Super Bowl is the single most wagered on sporting event in the world. The event has over 300 betting opportunities but which ones should be played? One area to check out on the betting propositions, is who will score the first touchdown of the game. The favorites are still around 7-1 and some good long shots are available at 15-1. The following players are available to place a wager on, the odds are supplied by the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook.

Odds to score first touchdown in Super Bowl XLIV.

Field (anyone other than listed player). 6-1.
Why is field a possible good bet? Any defensive interception returned for a touchdown or a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown isn't that far fetched. Not a bad play at 6-1, try a small bet to cover other bets.

Reggie Wayne 7-1.
Reggie Wayne is NFL MVP, Peyton Manning's favorite target but look for another receiver or running back to score the first TD. Wayne will be double covered early and if New Orleans is blitzing, as defensive coordinator Gregg Williams says they will be, look for the first touchdown by Indianapolis to a quick two yard pass that turns into a big gain. No bet on Wayne for first TD.

Dallas Clark 7-1.
Dallas Clark, one the best tight ends in the NFL, is also a favorite target of Manning and is the most likely of the 7-1 shots to score the first TD of the game. Clark is a punishing runner after the catch and in a blitz situation Clark knows how to get open. Not a bad play on Clark for the first touchdown at 7-1, make it worth the money though and shop the line at other casinos before placing the bet.

Joseph Addai 7-1.
Indianapolis running back Joseph Addai has had some injuries at the end of the season and in the NFL playoffs. Expect Indianapolis to use Addai sparingly early, in hopes of using him in the second half of the game to close it out. No bet on Addai for the first touchdown.

Pierre Thomas 8-1.
New Orleans running back, Pierre Thomas is a solid bet at 8-1. If New Orleans wins the coin toss look for them to start out with a ball control offense. Thomas will be key in a long ball control drive and will most likely score the first TD if it is scored by New Orleans. Small bet on Thomas at 8-1.

Marques Colston 10-1.
NFL leading passer, Drew Brees has been spreading the ball around like Manning this year and placing a bet on wide receiver Colston probably isn't a good bet. Anything can happen but might as well take a shot with a receiver with more value. No bet on Colston to score the first touchdown.

Pierre Garcon 10-1.
Pierre Garcon, wide receiver for Indianapolis, is the sentimental favorite for the first touchdown. The Haiti native had over 150 yeards receiving in the NFL Conference Championship and has benefited from Wayne picking up double coverage. Garcon had only four touchdowns in the NFL regular season and none in the NFL playoffs. No bet on Garcon to score the first touchdown.

Devery Henderson 12-1.
New Orleans receiver, Devery Henderson had only two touchdown catches in the NFL regular season but he has had two touchdowns in the NFL playoffs. Henderson is a possibility but can't sign off on him. No bet on Henderson to score the first touchdown.

Austin Collie 12-1.
Indianapolis receiver Austin Collie has benefited from the absence of Anthony Gonzalez this year and has become a third option for Manning. Collie has scored a touchdown in both NFL playoff games and had seven touchdown catches in the NFL regular season. Collie is a good medium bet at 12-1 to score the first touchdown.

Reggie Bush 12-1.
Reggie Bush is tough to figure out in a regular NFL game, let alone a huge game like the Super Bowl. Bush has only four touchdowns in the NFL regular season and only one touchdown in the NFL playoffs. It is always possible for Bush to break off an amazing run back or a wildcat style touchdown from the quarterback position. Still can't bet Bush to score the first touchdown.

Donald Brown 15-1.
If Addai goes down or is used sparingly, Indianapolis running back, Donald Brown has a shot at scoring the first touchdown. Check the injury list throughout the week, if Addai isn't playing or is listed with an injury, make a small play on Brown to score the first TD.

Robert Meachem 15-1.
New Orleans wide receiver, Robert Meachem's odds should be 90-1, he isn't worth a bet at 15-1 to score the first TD.

Jeremy Shockey 20-1.
New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey will get some play at the betting windows, so his odds will likely go down to 12-1 or worse. If his odds are at 20-1 he isn't a bad medium bet, definitely a gut call though.

David Thomas 25-1.
New Orleans tight end David Thomas has only one TD all year. 25-1 is way too low to bet on Thomas. No bet.

Lance Moore 25-1.
New Orleans wide receiver, Lance Moore has been injured most of the year and is a wild card in this game. 25-1 is a terrible value for Moore, he should be 100-1. No bet on Moore to score the first TD.

Drew Brees 25-1.
NFL passing leader, Brees should be 200-1 to score a touchdown, anything is possible but Brees is not the type of quarterback to run around the end and score a touchdown. Brees would be more likely to pull up and throw a pass before taking the ball in himself. Brees did rush in for two touchdowns against Miami this year. Not buying that Brees will break the plain of the goal line himself. No bet.

Peyton Manning 30-1.
NFL MVP, Peyton Manning had 19 rushes in the NFL regular season, his yardage total, -10 yards. That should say enough about any possibility of Manning scoring a rushing touchdown. If Brees is a 200-1 shot, Manning should be listed at 500-1 to score a rushing touchdown. No bet.

Mike Hart 30-1.
Mike Hart would need Addai and Donald Brown to go down to get any carries. That won't happen in the first half, so Hart should be posted at 200-1 or more. No bet.

Chad Simpson 30-1.
Even more unlikely is Chad Simpson the fourth string running back for Indianapolis. Simpson has as much chance of scoring the first touchdown as OJ Simpson. Chad Simpson's odds should be 500-1, no bet.

No Touchdown 500-1.
No touchdown in the Super Bowl or any NFL game should be 5000-1, obvious no bet.

sources:

Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Super Bowl XLIV Props and Odds

www.espn.go.com

www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com