Ready for more Super Bowl Props? Well we have more in store for you right here. We’ve already seen the MVP Prop Bets and Quarterback Prop Bets. Let’s not forget the second most important position in the history of the Super Bowl- the running back.
Historically speaking, quarterbacks have starred in Super Bowls. We say that because in the history of the Super Bowl, 29 quarterbacks have been named as Super Bowl MVP. Next to the quarterbacks, the running backs have produced the second most number of MVP winners at seven. The last running back to be named Super Bowl MVP though was Terrell Davis in 1998 at Super Bowl XXXII. We’re not here to talk about the MVP though, but when it comes to star power, this year’s group of running backs playing in the Super Bowl deserve plenty of attention, and that means prop bets too.
Before we take a look at the bets, let’s take a look at the backs first, beginning with the New England Patriots. Now New England utilizes a three headed monster at running back. Leading the way is rookie Sony Michel who rushed for a total of 931 yards during the regular season, 15th best in the NFL, on a total of 209 carries with 6 rushing touchdowns. During the Patriots’ Divisional Round game against the Chargers, Michel rushed the football for a total of 129 yards on 24 carries with three scores and then in the Conference title game against the Chiefs, he had 29 carries for 113 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns scored.
James White ran the ball 94 times for 425 yards during the regular season and both were career best numbers for him. White also led the team with 87 receptions and 7 receiving touchdowns while also catching a total of 751 yards, 2nd most on the Patriots. White didn’t run the ball against the Chargers but caught 15 passes for 97 yards. He rushed six times for 23 yards against the Chiefs and caught four passes for 49 yards.
Rex Burkhead came off the injured reserve this season and rushed for 186 yards on 57 carries for the Patriots. Burkhead also had 14 catches for a total of 131 receiving yards during the regular season. Burkhead rushed for 12 yards on four carries in the Divisional round but accounted for 41 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns against the Chiefs. He also caught 1 pass for 7 yards in the divisional round and had four catches for 23 yards in the conference title game
Todd Gurley II has MVP numbers during the regular season. He led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns and his 1,251 total rushing yards was third in the entire NFL. But Gurley missed the last two regular season games with a “knee injury”. C.J. Anderson started in Gurley’s place and ran for 167 yards on 20 carries then 123 yards on 23 carries in those two games. Both played great during the Divisional round with Gurley rushing for 115 yards on 16 carries with one score and Anderson having 23 carries and 123 yards with one score. In the Conference title game though, Anderson played with more snaps and finished with more touches while Gurley was featured in only 32 plays, his fewest under Sean McVay. According to McVay, it was “ the flow of the game.”
Some suspect that Gurley is injured but after the game and even afterwards, Gurley denied that and the fact that he’s in practice and not in the injury report proves that he is healthy. So what happened against the Saints? Todd Gurley’s had the most rushing yards in the NFL in the last four years. He had 10 rushing yards against New Orleans. He only had a total of five touches during the game after leading the league in rushing touchdowns the last four seasons. If he’s not hurt, did he just have a bad game?
Both Sean McVay and CJ Anderson believe Gurley will have a bounce back game on Super Bowl Sunday. And why not? The league’s highest paid running back and its best in the last four years is going to play in the biggest game of his career. If he’s not hurt, he should bounce back. CJ Anderson has been huge but his yards per carry has decreased week after week, from 8.4 four weeks ago to 2.8 against the Saints. How will things play out in the Super Bowl?
Here are the list of Running Back Prop Bets from Mybookie.ag as of 1/28/19:
For the Patriots, there is no question what their direction would be. Sony Michel has rushed for 129 and 113 yards in his first two playoff games played. I expect him to play an important role in the biggest game of his young career. Playing alongside Tom Brady is only going to give him much more confidence. I think Michel has another 100 rushing yard game here. Prediction: Sony Michel over 77.5 rushing yards
Rex Burkhead has caught at least 18 yards in four out of his last five games played, including 4 catches for 23 yards in the Conference finals. He’s caught at least three passes in three of those games. The totals for Burkhead on Sunday are 17.5 receiving yards and 2 catches. I think he goes over both. Prediction: Rex Burkhead Over 17.5 receiving yards and Over 2 catches
For the Rams, it’s a more difficult call here because we really don’t know if Gurley is 100% healthy. He says he is but his game is saying otherwise. I mean the league’s best running back doesn’t just disappear in the Conference title game without reason. McVay and Anderson both say Gurley is going to bounce back but then again it could depend on the “flow of the game”. If we look at numbers though, Anderson has out-snapped Gurley two to one in the playoffs. Anderson’s total is just 49.5 yards. I think that can easily be topped. Prediction: CJ Anderson over 49.5 rushing yards
As for Gurley, he remains the focal point of the Rams offense, or so they say. One game doesn’t change that. Because he didn’t show up against the Saints, his total is set at 67.5 rushing yards. Gurley rushed fewer than that in four out of 14 regular season games played. However, three of those four games came in his most recent four regular season games. I don’t think things add up. Prediction: Todd Gurley under 67.5 rushing yards
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
