In what would have been against the norm, oddsmakers posted the Los Angeles Rams as the opening line favorite for Super Bowl 53. That quickly changed.
The betting public quickly bet the number in the Patriots direction, making New England a 2.5-point favorite in the early going, with two weeks remaining before the big game.
If the line eventually gets shifted toward Los Angeles, this would be the first time the Patriots have been underdogs in the Super Bowl, since being a 14-point underdog in Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s first Super Bowl victory — against the Rams.
This line won’t veer over the three-point mark for either team, so this is basically a pick ’em for the betting public. There’s still plenty of time before the game, so I wouldn’t get too jazzed up about making a pick on Super Bowl 53 yet.
Over/under is through the roof
In another oddity, the over/under is not for the faint of heart.
The consensus at many sportsbooks is 58 for the over/under, which would make it the highest of all time. And even with that high of a number, would you really bet against it?
After a slow start, the Patriots and Chiefs covered the over/under in the AFC Championship game, while the Rams, which were working out the kinks of playing in a loud stadium, couldn’t reach the over with the Saints in the NFC Championship game.
Both defenses struggle mightily at times, so the over looks tantalizing in this circumstance.
And if recent history proves true, it wouldn’t be a bad pick.
If the over/under dips at all, it would then be tied with the Patriots/Falcons Super Bowl, which registered an over/under of 57. Once again, the Patriots started slow, but New England not only covered, but went over the number.
The resurgence of offense is on full display in these inflated over/under, with the four highest (including this game) coming in the last 10 years.
Both teams offer some intrigue and this should be an offensive display that renders high-scoring and some nerve-wreaking moments for anyone picking the point spread.
