Buzz
This Sunday is the Super Bowl, marking the start of a long-standing tradition where people with no interest in football or the competing teams come together to watch the event. If you want to enjoy the day without simply drinking and snacking for hours, here’s how to convincingly pretend you know what’s going on.
Learn the Basic Rules of Football in a Simplified Way
To start, let’s cover the essentials of this year’s Super Bowl. It’s Super Bowl 50, and the milestone will undoubtedly be highlighted throughout the day. The Denver Broncos, sporting white uniforms, will face off against the Carolina Panthers, who will be in their black jerseys.
Football is fundamentally straightforward, but the NFL frequently adds complex rules that can confuse viewers. Fortunately, commentators explain these rules in detail during the game, particularly during the Super Bowl. Paying attention will help you grasp most of them. However, one significant rule change this year involves extra point kicks, which you’ll want to understand.
Previously, the extra point kick after a touchdown was an easy attempt from the two-yard line. To make it more challenging, the NFL moved the kick to the 15-yard line. This change might seem minor, but a missed extra point is partly why the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl, so expect it to be a hot topic.
If you prefer not to watch videos, this rule guide from The Football Girl provides a concise overview to help you understand the basics quickly.
Prepare Some Key Discussion Topics
Looking for conversation starters before the game? This year, it’s easy because both teams feature fascinating personalities. Here’s a rundown of the standout players:
Peyton Manning is aging and showing signs of wear: At 39 years old, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is considered ancient in football terms, equivalent to about 456 years. After sustaining injuries earlier in the season, he’s now held together by tape. While he remains a formidable quarterback, speculation about this being his final season, and possibly his last Super Bowl, will undoubtedly spark numerous discussions about his age.
“Omaha:” If any football player has a signature phrase, it’s Peyton Manning’s “Omaha” shout. He uses this at the line of scrimmage, though the true meaning of “Omaha” remains a mystery. Regardless, expect it to be a frequent topic during the game, and if you’re near Broncos fans, anticipate hearing it shouted at random times.
Cam Newton is a charming, dancing sensation: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is arguably one of the most photogenic players in football history. He’s also known for his celebratory dances after notable plays. If he’s not dancing, he might strike a Superman pose. Additionally, after scoring a touchdown, he often hands the ball to a Panthers fan in the stands. Even if football isn’t your thing, watching Cam Newton in action is a delight. For context, Newton is 26 years old, and the age difference between him and Manning will likely be mentioned at least once.
Both defenses are outstanding: While you don’t need to memorize every defensive player, it’s worth noting that both the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers boast two of the league’s top defenses. For the Panthers, linebacker Luke Kuechly stands out. If you hear the crowd chanting “Luuuuuuukkke,” it’s for him. On the Broncos’ side, there’s no specific player chant (though someone might start one for Von Miller’s chicken farm), but fans often shout “In-com-plete” when the opposing quarterback misses a pass.
Of course, this is the Super Bowl, so anything can happen. Last year, for instance, a relatively unknown player you’ve likely never heard of secured a last-second victory for the Patriots.
Know Who’s Providing the Entertainment
The Super Bowl is as much about entertainment as it is about football. Make sure you know who’s performing this year.
Lady Gaga will perform the “Star-Spangled Banner,” which takes place before the game begins. The Super Bowl kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM EST/3:30 PM PST, so tune in about 10 minutes early if you want to catch Lady Gaga’s performance.
Next is the halftime show. A typical Super Bowl broadcast lasts approximately three hours and twenty minutes, excluding the post-game coverage. The halftime performance itself usually runs for about 12-13 minutes, but the entire halftime break is around 30 minutes. While timing can be unpredictable, expect the halftime show to start shortly after 8 PM EST/5 PM PST.
This year, the halftime show will be headlined by Coldplay, the iconic dad rock band, with Beyoncé set to make a guest appearance and potentially steal the spotlight. Bruno Mars is also confirmed to join the lineup. Additionally, a surprise guest is expected to appear, much like Missy Elliott did last year. Speculation is rife about possible appearances by Jay-Z, Rihanna, or even Justin Timberlake. Whatever happens, fans are hoping it will be at least half as memorable as last year’s spectacle.
Who to Bet On
Let’s address the straightforward part of Super Bowl betting: the Carolina Panthers are the clear favorites over the Broncos. Currently, the spread for Carolina is around -5.5. In simple terms, betting on the Panthers offers a safer chance to win, while backing the Broncos could yield a bigger payout if you’re feeling adventurous or rooting for the underdog.
Now, let’s dive into some of this year’s prop bets. These are wagers on quirky events that might occur during the game, unusual entertainment-related outcomes, and more. Believe it or not, some people even bet on the coin toss. For a laugh, check out some of the most absurd prop bets from SBNation.
What color will Beyoncé’s shoes be when she takes the stage during halftime? If you’re curious, the odds are 3/2 that they’ll be black.
Who will the Super Bowl MVP thank first? Both God and Team are tied at 2/1 odds, so this one could go either way.
Will an earthquake occur during the game? The odds are 10/1 for a Yes, which seems surprisingly high given the unpredictability of earthquakes.
Will “Left Shark” make a comeback during the Super Bowl halftime show? Left Shark became a viral sensation last year, but will it return? The odds are 15/1 in favor.
Prop bets can cover virtually anything related to the game—or not. If you’re watching with friends, feel free to wager on any quirky idea that comes to mind.
Prop bets aren’t the only way to gamble on the Super Bowl. Pools are another popular option, especially in office settings. Most Super Bowl pools use a 10-by-10 grid with numbers, and winners are determined by matching the scores at the end of each quarter or the game. The best part? You don’t need to know much about football to win.
Consumer Reports shares some key strategies for selecting numbers in your pool. For starters, avoid numbers ending in two, as football scores rarely end with that digit. Here are a few more tips:
If you’re buying multiple squares, avoid selecting a single row or column. From a statistical perspective, every square has equal value before numbers are assigned. However, if you end up with multiple squares tied to a specific score, like the Denver Broncos finishing with a 6, you’ll have a unique reason to cheer.
Sevens and zeros have lost their former significance, largely due to the two-point conversion. Since the NFL brought back the two-point conversion in 1994, special-team coaches have been armed with
conversion charts
, and final scores like 20-17 have become slightly less common. Additionally, extra points are no longer guaranteed—this season, one out of every 18 extra point attempts was missed.
With these tips, you should at least improve your odds of winning the pool.
All the Commercials Everyone Will Probably Discuss on Monday
Super Bowl commercials are a major event, with companies reportedly shelling out $5 million for a 30-second spot during this year’s game. These ads are often so quirky and entertaining that they become a spectacle in their own right, rivaling the game itself.
Here’s a fun fact: you can watch most of the ads without tuning into the Super Bowl, and many have already been released. Check out this extensive list of some of them. Among the most talked-about are Budweiser’s ad featuring Helen Mirren, T-Mobile’s spot with Drake, a Pokémon-themed ad, and this utterly bizarre Heinz commercial.
Predicting which ads will resonate most during the game is tricky. While many have already been released, there are bound to be unexpected surprises. Stay glued to your seat—don’t head to the bathroom, grab another drink, or refill the snack bowl. Stick to these rules, and you won’t miss any of the buzzworthy commercials.
Alternatively, you can always catch them later on YouTube.
Art by Sam Woolley.
