Tune out the noise encapsulating a two-week walkup to Sunday's Super Bowl LVII. It’s not about the Kelce brothers. Forget Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid seeking revenge against his former Philadelphia Eagles. It's not the endless angles and matchups.
This game comes down to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' leg. Will his high ankle sprain that often sidelines players for weeks be good enough to evade the Eagles' dominant pass rush? That's the game right there.
Mahomes is the NFL's best player and even limping badly managed to win two playoff games. It was an extraordinary accomplishment befitting the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player.
But the Eagles will disrupt him after posting 70 sacks this season. The line is what the Washington Commanders have tried to build with four first-rounders. Philadelphia knows getting to Mahomes wins this game even more than Eagles passer Jalen Hurts facing the NFL's second-best pass rush in the Chiefs.
Philadelphia wins because its pass rush will keep Mahomes from making one last superhuman play in the fourth quarter. When everyone tires, the Eagles pass rush outnumbers Mahomes.
Take the Eagles giving 1½ points. Go under 51 combined points in Philadelphia’s 27-20 victory.
But that's just the start of the wagering as Americans look to bet $16 billion on the game now that legalized gambling floods the airwaves with fun wagers. There's nothing like the Super Bowl to offer silly ways to lose money.
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From the national anthem is over/under 2:05 to halftime performer Rihanna's eye shadow color (5-2 clear, 12-1 blue), there are hundreds of propositional bets. They seem like easy pickings, but bookmakers didn't build palaces in the desert of Nevada by losing money.
BetOnline.ag seems fixated on not only the game, but presidents, halftime performers and celebrity watching. And, you can bet on it all.
The over/under on planes (5) flying over the stadium after the anthem starts the action. Will the anthem singer forget a word (9-1 yes, 1-300 no.) (By the way, anyone betting $300 to win $1 is a fool who should be parted with their money.) Does Babyface sing “America the Beautiful) in over/under 109 seconds. Makes you wonder if gamblers are timing the rehearsal.
In presidential picks, you can bet whether Joe Biden says Mahomes or Hurts first or Philadelphia or Scranton first. Will former President Donald Trump and Biden's Eagles pick be right? (How is this different from just picking the game's winner?) Will the winning team visit the White House? (This could take a year to collect.)
In broadcast props, will video of Mahomes' injury against Jacksonville be shown? (Oh, that seems like a lock for yes.) What's shown first – "Philly Special" from Super Bowl LII, Rocky statue or cheesesteak? (Go with cheesesteak.) What quarter will the mama Donna Kelce be shown? (Please, they'll barely make it to the first quarter.)
In halftime props, you can pick from 11 songs which Rihanna sings first, what color dress she wears and the color of her hair and lipstick. Whether several of her body parts will be exposed includes 7-1 for a nipple. How many headline artists will wear sunglasses and will one smoke?
Among commercials, will Rob Gronkowski make a field goal? (No, he chokes.) Will State Farm show Mahomes in an ad? (Please in a groaning voice.)
It goes on and on and on. Just eat your wings, watch the game and sing "Fly Eagles Fly."
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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