Let's get that early money
My Guide to first quarter betting in Sunday's Super Bowl
Feb 1, 2019, 6:59 am
Let's get that early money
How nice would it be to put in all your bets on first quarter props and then just sit back and enjoy the rest of the game while all your buddies sweat out game totals and sides.
Are you a "trend is your friend" guy? If so I've got some clearcut early trends for you and it's not like it's a small sample size. While we might be sick of the Patriots in the Super Bowl they are giving us some obvious choices on prop bets Sunday.
The most unbelievable stat from the Super Bowls during the Belichick/Brady era is that in their eight games the Patriots have scored a grand total of three points in the first quarter of those games. Three. Total. In eight games.
You would think that a team with all that experience, all that coaching prowess, the GOAT at quarterback and two weeks to prepare would be ready to pounce on their less experienced opponent and take an early lead. That has simply not been the case.
But as you might expect the Patriots have been ready to play defensively. In those same first quarters they have held their opponents scoreless four times, given up just a field goal twice, and nine points twice. Only once has the first quarter total reached double digits and that was last year when the Eagles led 9-3 after one.
So if we are trend guys we will go with the under on the 10 1/2 first quarter point total. We will also bet that the Rams score first since the Patriots opponents have scored first in six of their eight Super Bowls.
One almost certainty is that the Patriots first play will be a pass. In all eight games the Patriots first play from scrimmage has been a pass. Book it.
The under/over for 1st quarter TD's is 1.5. That has not happened in the Belichick/Brady era. You have to risk $165 to win $100 but you have to like something that hasn't happened in eight games thus far.
On the Rams side we don't have much to go by but I do have a feeling that the NFC Championship game was a wakeup call for Todd Gurley. Afterwards Sean McVay said that Gurley was still their guy. I think they'll want to prove that early. I don't know how successful he will be but I do think he'll be on the field instead of C.J. Anderson who will be busy finishing up a hamburger anyway so I'm going with Anderson under 12 1/2 1st quarter rushing yards.
I'm also a big Stephon Gilmore guy. Watching him all year I feel like he was the best corner in the game. Given how much they move Brandin Cooks around I think Gllmore will be locked down on Robert Woods. I like that matchup so I'm going with under 15 1/2 receiving yards for Robert Woods in the 1st quarter.
And for that same reason I like Josh Reynolds to have an impact in this game. I'm taking over 1/2 a catch and 6 1/2 yards receiving for Reynolds in the 1st quarter. He will be an X factor in this game.
So recapping, In the first quarter I like:
Under 10.5 total points
Rams score first
Patriots first play is a pass
Under 1.5 TD's
CJ Anderson under 12.5 rushing yards
Robert Woods under 15.5 receiving yards
Josh Reynolds over 1/2 catch
Josh Reynolds over 6.5 yards receiving
Then just sit back and enjoy the rest of the game.
Or
Get your butt handed to you, get on mybookie.ag and start making second half bets to somehow salvage an otherwise miserable Super Bowl.
Either way have fun everybody.
The Houston Astros return to action Wednesday night with a chance to get back on track and even their three-game set against the visiting Chicago White Sox.
White Sox continue to have Houston's number
After falling 4–2 in Tuesday’s opener, the Astros now trail the season series 3–1 and will turn to Ryan Gusto (3-3, 4.78 ERA) in hopes of steadying the ship and reinforcing their grip on first place in the AL West.
Houston enters the matchup at 36–30 overall and 22–13 at home, a mark that reflects just how comfortable they've been playing in front of their fans. Though the offense has been inconsistent at times, the Astros are an impressive 19–4 when they manage to keep the ball in the yard — a stat that will be key with Gusto on the mound. The young right-hander has had an up-and-down season, but he'll be tasked with limiting a White Sox offense that did just enough to sneak away with a win in the opener.
Chicago, meanwhile, continues to play with a bit of unexpected edge despite sitting in last place in the AL Central. At 23–44, the White Sox have struggled most of the season — particularly on the road, where they’re just 7–26. Still, they've now won four of their last five games and will hand the ball to Sean Burke (3-6, 4.03 ERA), a righty who’s shown flashes of command and competitiveness in his rookie campaign.
The Astros will once again lean on their veterans to lead the way at the plate. Jose Altuve continues to be a consistent presence at the top of the lineup with nine home runs and 24 RBIs on the year. Yainer Diaz, who’s 10-for-39 with three home runs over his last 10 games, has started to find his swing again and could be a factor in the middle of the order. Houston will need more of that timely hitting if they want to avoid dropping their second straight at home — something that hasn’t happened often this year.
On the other side, Chase Meidroth has quietly become one of Chicago’s more reliable bats. Hitting .293 with five doubles and a pair of homers, Meidroth’s emergence adds some much-needed spark to a lineup that’s lacked consistency. Andrew Benintendi, hitting .257 over his last 10 games with four doubles, has also begun to warm up at the plate.
Both teams come in with nearly identical offensive production over their last 10 games — the Astros hitting .227 to the White Sox’s .226 — but Houston holds the edge in ERA at 3.44 compared to Chicago’s 4.04. That said, the Astros have been outscored by five runs over that stretch, and will need to clean up a few things on both sides of the ball to avoid falling into a mini-slide during this six-game homestand.
First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET from Daikin Park, with Houston looking to reassert itself against a team it hasn’t solved yet this season. A win would not only even the series — it would also be a reminder that the Astros remain very much in control of their own narrative heading into the summer grind.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -181, White Sox +150; over/under is 8 1/2 runs.
Here's an early look at Houston's lineup for Game 2
Wednesday night matchup.
⚾️: 7:10 PM
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/UGNXjvgdC6
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 11, 2025
Jacob Melton is hitting last and remains the left fielder with Altuve back at second base. Diaz is once again in the cleanup spot as Walker is hitting fifth. Victor Caratini will hit behind Walker and serve as the DH. Otherwise, a pretty typical lineup for Joe Espada's club.
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!