Super Bowl Predictions
Every year there is a flurry of activity surrounding the Super Bowl as celebrities, politicians, sports announcers and hard core gamblers set out their super bowl predictions. Some of these super bowl predictions start out as early as the day after the most recent super bowl. The odds on whether a team will make it to the super bowl the following year are usually available immediately following the current super bowl.
Avid gamblers are the most likely perpetrators of serious super bowl predictions, as even Las Vegas will set the odds for anyone wanting to gamble on who will win the next championship. However, there are plenty of people who make their super bowl predictions and bets out of pure fun and admiration for the game. These include politicians from competing states, cities, and local governments.
In the 2008 regular season, prognosticators were making super bowl predictions on the Indianapolis Colts making it to the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII. With more than 50% of ‘experts’ putting their faith in the Colts seeing their second super bowl in three years, largely based on their outstanding play the last few seasons. However, that super bowl prediction did not pan out even with their 13-3 season.
Just prior to Super Bowl XLIII, held on February 1, 2009, super bowl predictions were prevalent all over the country, placing Kurt Warner as a threat to the Steelers chance of making a record sixth super bowl win. Yet, the Steelers were favorite in Las Vegas by 6 1/2 points over the Arizona Cardinals. In the last ten years, the Favorite has won seven times, which would indicate choosing the favorite is the most likely super bowl prediction to actually come true.
In addition to the more serious super bowl predictions by the sports aficionados, there are always a few comical ones laid out by celebrities and entertainers. Howie Mandel, host of ‘Deal or No Deal’ and ‘Howie Do It’ predicted the score at Pittsburgh, 21-14. He stated, ‘Because, and I won’t mention who, I have gotten some notes from two players on the Steelers that they are fans of my show ‘Howie Do It’.’
Although to some, the super bowl predictions are a matter of fun, it is a serious game for gamblers. It is estimated that more than $10 billion will be wagered by more than 200 million people worldwide on what is called the biggest sports betting event of the year.
