The Denver Broncos are underdogs in Super Bowl 50, and most of the betting public is picking Carolina to win big. But many experts seem to believe the game will be close, picking Denver to cover the spread.
Because the betting line has settled in at 5.5 or six points at various sportsbooks, the Broncos can easily lose the game and still cover the spread. Of Denver’s four losses this season, two have come by just three points. The Broncos’ most recent defeat came by seven points in Week 15.
Professional handicappers are largely predicting the Broncos to cover, via ESPN.com. Denver is 9-6-3 against the spread this season, while Carolina leads the NFL with a 13-5 record.
Las Vegas has only lost money on two Super Bowls in the last 25 years, according to Forbes. Casinos failed to turn a profit in 1995 when the San Francisco 49ers blew out the San Diego Chargers, as well as in 2008 when the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots. The same could happen this year if the Panthers have an easy time beating the Broncos.
The experts are going against the public, and picking the underdog has been the smart choice in recent Super Bowls. The Green Bay Packers in 2011 were the last favorite to win the Super Bowl, let alone cover the betting line. Peyton Manning was favored in his previous three Super Bowl appearances, going 1-2 straight up and against the spread.
Expert Predictions Against The Spread
John Breech, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Will Brinson, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Panthers
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Panthers
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Dave Richard, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Tony Miller, Golden Nugget race & sports book director
Pick ATS: Broncos
Mark Dufty, Jerry’s Nugget race & sports book director
Pick ATS: Broncos
Jay Kornegay, Westgate Las Vegas VP of race & sports operations
Pick ATS: Broncos
Nick Bogdanovich, William Hill U.S. director of trading
Pick ATS: Broncos
John Avello, Wynn Las Vegas executive director of race & sports
Pick ATS: Broncos
Bobby Ilich, IB Times
Pick ATS: Panthers
Greg Price, IB Times
Pick ATS: Broncos
Anthony Riccobono, IB Times
Pick ATS: Panthers
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