The Super Bowl is always one of the highlights of the sporting year and the 51st edition of the event between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons is set to be an extremely exciting affair.
The New England Patriots have been the dominant team in the AFC all season long and they will go into Super Bowl 51 as clear favourite, but they will face a tough test against an extremely talented Atlanta Falcons side.
Will New England win yet another Super Bowl or can Atlanta finally deliver Super Bowl success? We have analyzed a wide range of betting markets to come up with the best betting plays for one of the biggest days in sport.
Head To Head Betting
The New England Patriots have lost only two games this season and their roster includes a stack of players that have plenty of Super Bowl experience.
New England are yet to be really tested during the NFL Playoffs to date and they have played within themselves to date, but it is fair to say that they have probably not played a team with the offensive firepower possessed by the Atlanta Falcons this season.
Winning as favourites has not been an issue for the Patriots this season and they have won 15 of their past 17 games in this scenario, while even more impressively they are 14-3 against the line when giving away a start.
During the Belichick era, the Patriots are 2-2 in Super Bowls in which they have started favorites – with most losses coming against the New York Giants – and 2-0 in Super Bowls that they have started as favorites.
Atlanta have been easily the most impressive team during the NFL Playoffs and they stamped themselves as the best team in the NFC with dominant victories over the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers.
It was their performance against the Packers that was particularly outstanding – their attack was unstoppable and their defense was able to shutdown a firing Aaron Rodgers.
The Falcons have won four of their six games as underdogs this season for a clear profit and they are 5-1 against the line in this situation.
It should be noted that no favorite has won the Super Bowl since the Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011 and underdogs have won six of the past seven editions of the event.
It is very tough to beat against the New England Patriots as they have been nothing short of outstanding this season, but the value in the Super Bowl odds does lie with the Atlanta Falcons and they can cause yet another Super Bowl upset.
Back Atlanta To Win @ $2.25
Over/Under
Super Bowls are notoriously low-scoring affairs, but the Over has actually saluted at three of the past five Super Bowls.
The 58.5 points that has been set as the Over/Under line for this clash is the largest in the history of the Super Bowl and they is actually not that much of a surprise considering the two teams that will be in action.
Atlanta have been an Overs team all season long and the Over has saluted in 15 of their past 18 games, while the Under is actually 10-8 in games involving the New England Patriots.
The market looks to have got the line for this clash just about right.
No Bet
Super Bowl 51 MVP Betting
It should come no surprise that quarterbacks dominate the Super Bowl 51 MVP betting market.
Tom Brady ($1.83) and Matt Ryan ($2.75) have a mortgage on the award according to the market from Julio Jones ($17), Julian Edelman ($21), LeGarrette Blount ($26) and Devonta Freeman ($26).
Jones is the clear standout in betting value for the Falcons.
He was absolutely enormous against the Green Bay Packers and he will surely need to have a similar game against the Patriots if the Falcons are going to come away with the victory.
When it comes to the New England Patriots it really is tough to go against Tom Brady.
There is no doubt that the Falcons defence has improved as they get further into the season, but the best quarterbacks in the NFL have still been able to put up big numbers and Brady is the obvious key-man for the Patriots.
Back Julio Jones @ $21 & Devonta Freeman @ $26 To Be Named MVP for Value
First Score Of The Game
First score of the game is always an interesting betting market and some punters had an absolute fill-up when the Denver Broncos conceded a safety for the opening score of Super Bowl 49.
The New England Patriots have not been the quickest starters in recent weeks, while the Falcons have jumped out of the blocks very quickly.
Atlanta can take the early lead and $3.25 for them to start with a touchdown is a great bet.
Back Atlanta Falcons Touchdown As First Score Of The Game @ $3.25
