2014 Pro Bowl odds even, total high in Team Sanders vs Team Rice
Pro Bowl betting interest has dwindled in recent years along with fan interest. But a new format and a whopping 89 over-under may intrigue bettors Sunday.
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With the annual AFC vs. NFC Pro Bowl seemingly losing more and more fan — and betting — interest each year, the NFL made big changes to the Pro Bowl this year in an effort to make it more interesting and fun.
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Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks vs. Broncos
Be sure to bookmark SB Nation's complete coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII. Everything from the build up, to live coverage and reactions after the big game, all in one beautiful package. Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice selected teams in a fantasy draft format, mixing up the talent in the AFC and NFC across both rosters. Team Rice and Team Sanders are both currently a pick’em on Sunday’s Pro Bowl betting odds menu.
The total was expected to open around 88 to 89, for those looking to bet on the NFL online or in Vegas on this All-Star game.
In addition to changing up the format of the Pro Bowl, the NFL has also put in a handful of new rules as well. A two-minute warning will be added to the first and third quarter and the ball will change hands at the end of every quarter, setting up the potential for a two-minute drill to end each half.
There also will be no kickoffs in this game; a coin toss at the start of the game will decide which team gets the ball first, and at the start of each quarter and after each scoring play the ball will be placed at the 25-yard line.
All of these rule changes are conducive to more offense, which the Pro Bowl certainly hasn’t had any shortage of in recent years. The total has gone OVER in each of the last four Pro Bowl games with 75 combined points in 2010, 96 in 2011, 100 in 2012, and 97 in 2013. No total has been set for the game yet.
Both teams appear to be pretty evenly matched, as would be expected by the draft format and the talent pool. Cam Newton, Nick Foles and Andrew Luck are the quarterbacks for Team Sanders while Drew Brees, Alex Smith and Philip Rivers head the Team Rice squad.
Matt Forte, LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray make up Team Rice’s backfield and Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy and Alfred Morris will represent Team Sanders.
Superstars that won't be participating in the Pro Bowl because of injury include Tom Brady, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson. Players on the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos will not be participating as they are the focus of Super Bowl 48 odds.
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