# 2008 NFL Prop Bet Extravaganza (Cash Prizes!) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 1, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553 "2008-08-01T23:44:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/21 "2008-08-22T05:43:29Z")
Ahh, taking a second look just now I think I see why the mistake was made in **Hamlet** ’s post. Sorry, I should have clarified this earlier. The maximum amount of money that you may potentially **lose** on a given bet is $500, and all potential **losses** must be in multiples of $100. On wagers in which he was _laying_ odds, Hamlet set up his bets so that his **profits** would be in multiples of $100. I set it up this way to force people to diversify their bets – otherwise, one could have bet all $5,000 on the Patriots to win the AFC East (-1000 in the initial odds) and been within the limit, since their potential profit is only $500. Anyway, it’s an understandable mistake; for instance, in some online sportsbooks, when betting on a side with odds of -101 or worse, you enter the amount you’re trying to win, not the amount you’re putting at risk. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/22 "2008-08-22T11:53:04Z")
[QUOTE=VarlosZ] Ahh, taking a second look just now I think I see why the mistake was made in **Hamlet** ’s post. Sorry, I should have clarified this earlier. The maximum amount of money that you may potentially **lose** on a given bet is $500, and all potential **losses** must be in multiples of $100. On wagers in which he was _laying_ odds, Hamlet set up his bets so that his **profits** would be in multiples of $100. I set it up this way to force people to diversify their bets – otherwise, one could have bet all $5,000 on the Patriots to win the AFC East (-1000 in the initial odds) and been within the limit, since their potential profit is only $500. Anyway, it’s an understandable mistake; for instance, in some online sportsbooks, when betting on a side with odds of -101 or worse, you enter the amount you’re trying to win, not the amount you’re putting at risk. [/QUOTE] Sorry VarlosZ, I was thinking backwards on the $100 amount. Just round them down. It’ll give me some more money to play with later. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/23 "2008-08-25T00:02:08Z")
#1) Which conference will have a better record in inter-conference games? **$100 AFC** #2) Which division will have the best cumulative record? **$500 AFC East** #3) Which division will have the worst cumulative record? **$400 AFC North** #4) Name **six** teams that will not make the playoffs (all six must be correct). -140 $100 **Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins** #5) Name **three** teams that will win their division (all three must be correct). -120 $100 **San Diego, Pittsburgh, New England** #6) Name **four** teams that will win their division (all four must be correct). +160 $100 **San Diego, Pittsburgh, New England, Indianapolis** #7) Will a Head Coach be fired before the start of Week 17? $100 **Yes** #8) Will the largest point spread of the season by OVER or UNDER 19.0 (as per the Friday NY Post)? $100 **UNDER 19.0 -130** #9) Will the average number of total points scored in 2008 regular season games be OVER or UNDER 43.4? $100 **OVER 43.4 -105** #10) Will the number of **TD Passes** thrown by LaDanian Tomlinson be OVER or UNDER 0.5? $100 **OVER 0.5 -125** #11) Who will win the AFC East? $100 **New England -1000** #12) Who will win the AFC North? $100 **Cincinnati +500** #13) Who will win the AFC South? $400 **Houston +1600** #14) Who will win the AFC West? $100 **San Diego -400** #15) Who will win the NFC East? $100 **Philadelphia +325** #16) Who will win the NFC North? $100 **Detroit +650** #17 Who will win the NFC South? $100 **Tampa Bay +200** #18) Who will win the NFC West? $100 **St. Louis +550** #19) Where will the New York Giants finish in their division? $100 **3rd +225** #20) Where will the Pittsburgh Steelers finish in their division? $100 **2nd +220** #21) Where will the Arizona Cardinals finish in their division? $100 **3rd +250** #22) Week 1, Washington @ NY Giants; who wins? $100 **NY Giants -3.5 -115** #23) Week 9, New England @ Indianapolis; who wins? $100 **Indianapolis +2.5 -115** #24) Who will have the most passing yards in the NFL? $100 **Drew Brees +500** #25) Who will have the most rushing yards in the NFL? $1000 **Willie Parker +1200** #26) Who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL? $100 **Calvin Johnson +3500** #27) Which team will have more regular season wins, NE or NYG? $100 **New England -3.5 wins -115** #28) Odds to make the playoffs: $200 **Tampa Bay +100** #29) Which team will win the most regular season games? $100 **Philadelphia +2400** #30) Which team will win the fewest regular season games? $100 **Kansas City +1150** #31) What will be the average amount of “money” **lost** by the participants in this contest? $100 **OVER $450 -125** Where did this come from? > [@](#): > > 1. Who will finish the season with more passing yards: Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers? > $240 Aaron Rodgers ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/24 "2008-08-25T00:25:54Z")
**RNATB** , it seems you missed Odds Revision #1 (post #18). We can just go ahead and void that entry. Feel free to repost with the proper odds. (When you do, please make sure to post the odds next to each selection.) ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/25 "2008-08-29T07:44:36Z")
Bet sheet #2 - #26) Who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL? $100 Reggie Wayne +450 - #30) Which team will win the fewest regular season games? 500 Kansas City +1150 100 Any Other +140 ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2008, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/26 "2008-09-03T09:00:58Z")
SHIT…my entry got eaten by the reset. Well here it goes again… - #3) Which division will have the worst cumulative record? $500 **NFC West +280** #5) Name three teams that will win their division (all three must be correct). -120 $500 **Indy, New England, San Diego** #6) Name four teams that will win their division (all four must be correct). +160 $500 **Indy, New England, San Diego, and Seattle** - #7) Will a Head Coach be fired before the start of Week 17? $200 **Yes -230** #14) Who will win the AFC West? $300 **Denver +500** - #15) Who will win the NFC East? $300 **Dallas -110** #18) Who will win the NFC West? $500 **Seattle -135** \<---- Homer Pick 🙂 #21) Where will the Arizona Cardinals finish in their division? $300 **2nd +185** - #24) Who will have the most passing yards in the NFL? $400 **Peyton Manning +450** - #25) Who will have the most rushing yards in the NFL? $200 **Willie Parker +1200** $200 **Marion Barber +1350** - #26) Who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL? $200 **Dwayne Bowe +2800** - #28) Odds to make the playoffs: $400 **Jacksonville -120** #29) Which team will win the most regular season games? $300 **Indianapolis +500** - #31) What will be the average amount of “money” lost by the participants in this contest? $200 **OVER $450** -120 😉 Added them up twice and got to $5000. Let me know if I’ve run afoul of any other rules. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2008, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/27 "2008-09-03T13:18:57Z")
#4) Name **six** teams that will not make the playoffs (all six must be correct). $300 Miami, Atlanta, Oakland, KC, SF, St Louis #6) Name **four** teams that will win their division (all four must be correct). $100 SD, NE, SEA, GB - #8) Will the largest point spread of the season by OVER or UNDER 19.0 (as per the Friday NY Post)? $100 Over #12) Who will win the AFC North? $400 Baltimore - #13) Who will win the AFC South? $100 Jacksonville #14) Who will win the AFC West? $400 SD - #15) Who will win the NFC East? $300 Philly #16) Who will win the NFC North? $400 Green Bay #23) Week 9, New England @ Indianapolis; who wins? $100 Indy - #25) Who will have the most rushing yards in the NFL? $500 Lynch - #26) Who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL? $100 A Johnson #29) Which team will win the most regular season games? $300 SD - #31) What will be the average amount of “money” lost by the participants in this contest? $100 Over \*\*#33) Who will finish the season with more passing yards: Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers? $200 Favre ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/28 "2008-09-04T06:49:04Z")
Betting sheet #3 #5) Name three teams that will win their division (all three must be correct). $400 – Patriots Colts Chargers, -120 #6) Name four teams that will win their division (all four must be correct). $400 – Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Green Bay, +160 #30) Which team will win the fewest regular season games? $400 – Atlanta +475 ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/29 "2008-09-04T18:59:42Z")
Ok, I decided to take a shot at defending my prize money. Wish me luck. #1) Which conference will have a better record in inter-conference games? **$100 – NFC +160** #3) Which division will have the worst cumulative record? **$200 – NFC West +280** #4) Name **six** teams that will not make the playoffs (all six must be correct). **$300 – Atlanta, San Fran, Oakland, Detroit, Miami, Kansas City, -130** #5) Name **three** teams that will win their division (all three must be correct). **$500 – New England, San Diego, Seattle, -120** #8) Will the largest point spread of the season by OVER or UNDER 19.0 (as per the Friday NY Post)? **$200 – UNDER 19.0 -125** #9) Will the average number of total points scored in 2008 regular season games be OVER or UNDER 43.4? **$300 – UNDER 43.4 -125** #12) Who will win the AFC North? **$300 – Baltimore +800** #15) Who will win the NFC East? **$300 – Philadelphia +350 $200 – Washington +600** #16) Who will win the NFC North? **$500 – Green Bay +190** #17 Who will win the NFC South? \*\*$400 – Tampa Bay +200 \*\* #20) Where will the Pittsburgh Steelers finish in their division? **$100 – 3rd +330** #24) Who will have the most passing yards in the NFL? \*\*$100 – Tony Romo +650 $100 – Derek Anderson +2000 \*\* #25) Who will have the most rushing yards in the NFL? **$100 – Ryan Grant +1500** #26) Who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL? **$100 – Calvin Johnson +3500** #28) Odds to make the playoffs: **$200 – Baltimore +350** #30) Which team will win the fewest regular season games? **$300 – Atlanta +475 $200 – San Francisco +660** #33) Who will finish the season with more passing yards: Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers? **$500 – Aaron Rodgers +120** ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/30 "2008-09-04T19:41:13Z")
I only have a few minutes to complete this so I may get this wrong. I didn’t have time to read the rest of the thread. If I goof at the format, correct it if you can with whatever you can figure out my motivation to be. 1. $200 AFC North at +540 2. $500 on Baltimore, Cincinatti, Atlanta, Miami, Oakland, Kansas City at -130 3. $300 on Patriots, Chargers, Seahawks, Cowboys at +160 4. $100 yes at -230 5. $500 cleveland at +175 6. $100 NYG at +275 7. $300 MIN at +150 8. $100 St. Louis at +550 9. $300 2nd at +250 10. $500 2nd at +220 11. $100 Drew Brees at +500 $100 Derek Anderson at +2000 12. $100 Darren McFadden at +4000 13. $100 Braylon Edwards at +900 14. $500 New England at +180 15. $100 Oakland at +900 16. 2nd $200 at +165 17. $300 Favre at -150 Edit: You guys might want to try [wagerline.com](http://wagerline.com). You bet monopoly money on the NFL and you compete against other players, and you can become recognized as one of the best bettors on specific teams, etc. I think there are real prizes too even though it’s free but I’m not sure… maybe we can get some sort of league going later. I’m going to go sign up now. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/31 "2008-12-29T05:19:24Z")
Bump. There were only 8 valid entries, so I’ll try to power through and do them all tomorrow, though it’s possible I won’t be done until Wednesday or so. RBATB’s entry was invalid, but I’ll check it anyway and throw him a little something if he happens to have won the most money. My bet sheet got creamed. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/32 "2008-12-29T05:45:33Z")
Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/33 "2008-12-29T07:00:44Z")
This is embarrassing. I think Monte Kiffin and the ineptitude of the Dope are likely my only winners. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/34 "2008-12-29T21:29:10Z")
#1) Which conference will have a better record in inter-conference games? **AFC -195** – The AFC was 34-29-1 in inter-conference games. #2) Which division will have the best cumulative record? **NFC South +730** – The NFC South was 40-24 (or 28-12 in inter-division games), just edging out the NFC East, which went 38-14. In head-to-head play, the NFC South was 0-4 against the NFC East. #3) Which division will have the worst cumulative record? **NFC West +280** – The NFC West was an embarrassing 22-42 (or 10-30 in inter-division games). #7) Will a Head Coach be fired before the start of Week 17? **Yes -230** – Jim Haslett (StL) was fired after Week 4; Mike Nolan (SF) was fired after Week 7. #8) Will the largest point spread of the season be OVER or UNDER 19.0 (as per the Friday NY Post)? **UNDER 19.0 -125** – Largest point spread was Indy (-17) vs. Detroit, Week 15. Seconds largest was NE (-16) vs. KC, Week 1. #9) Will the average number of total points scored in 2008 regular season games be OVER or UNDER 43.4? **OVER 43.4 -105** – In an upset, the average number of total points per NFL game jumped from 43.4 to 44.06. #10) Will the number of **TD Passes** thrown by LaDanian Tomlinson be OVER or UNDER 0.5? **UNDER 0.5 -125** – The only LdT prop bet to go OVER was “number of fantasy teams destroyed by.” #11) Who will win the AFC East? **Miami +2500** – By far the biggest long-shot to win a division. Second largest was Atlanta (+1800), which came up 1 game short. #14) Who will win the AFC West? **San Diego -400** – The only odds-on favorite to win a division (out of 5) that actually did so. You would have had to lay odds to take NE, Ind, Dal, or Sea, but they were all losers. #22) Week 1, Washington @ NY Giants; who wins? **NY Giants -3.5 -115** – NYG won 16-7 #23) Week 9, New England @ Indianapolis; who wins? **Indianapolis +2.5 -115** – Indy won 18-15 #24) Who will have the most passing yards in the NFL? **Drew Brees +500** – The next four names on the yardage list (Warner, Cutler, Rodgers, Rivers) weren’t listed as options and so were included in “Any Other (+100).” #25) Who will have the most rushing yards in the NFL? **Adrian Peterson +210** – The next seven names on the yardage list (Turner, D. Williams, Portis, T. Jones, Slaton, Forte, Chris Johnson) weren’t listed as options and so were included in “Any Other -140.” #26) Who will have the most receiving yards in the NFL? **Andre Johnson +1200** – Only seven of the top twelve weren’t listed as option, and so were included in “Any Other -275.” #29) Which team will win the most regular season games? **Tennessee +1400** – The NY Giants were +1350. Five of the top ten teams in wins weren’t listed as options, and so were included in “Any Other +200,” including two 12-win teams (Pittsburgh and Carolina). #31) What will be the average amount of “money” **lost** by the participants in this contest? **OVER $450 -120** – Not including the results of this question (which three people got right), the average amount lost by the eight valid entrants was $1,534. #33) Who will finish the season with more passing yards: Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers? **Aaron Rodgers +120** – Rodgers: 4,038 yards. Favre: 3,472 yards. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/35 "2008-12-29T22:28:22Z")
I set up questions 4, 5, and 6 (name six teams not to make the playoffs, name three or four teams to win their divisions) to be the biggest sucker bets on the board, but even I could resist wasting a total of $800 on questions 4 and 5. When asked to name 6 teams that would not make the playoffs, four entrants out of nine (including **RNATB** ) attempted it (and layed odds of -130 to do so). All four picked Miami to miss the playoffs. Three picked Atlanta. \*\*SenorBeef \*\*picked Baltimore. **RNATB** , in addition to Miami, picked the Giants and Titans, the #1 seeds in their respective conferences! When asked to name either three or four teams that would win their divisions, eight out of nine entrants attempted at least one of the questions (three attempted both questions). Everyone who placed a bet on either question lost it. New England appeared on all 8 ballots, Seattle on 6, Indy on 4. If not for San Diego’s improbable comeback in the AFC West, five entrants would have gone 0-4 while an additional two would have gone 0-3. There were a total of nine guesses (on seven ballots) as to the identity of the leader in passing yards. Three entrants correctly identified Drew Brees (+500). No one picked the Field. There were a total of 10 guesses (on 8 ballots) as to the identity of the leader in rushing yards. Only one entrant correctly identified the favorite, Adrian Peterson (+210). No one picked the Field. Seven out of nine entrants attempted to guess the leader in receiving yards. Two correctly identified longshot Andre Johnson (+1200). No one picked the Field. The most amount of money won on a single bet was $4,500, by **MadTheSwine** ; he bet $500 on Detroit (+900) to finish the season with the fewest wins. The average amount put at risk among the eight valid entrants was $4,337 out of $5,000. Four entrants risked the maximum, one risked $4,900, and one risked the minimum ($3,000). Results to follow . . . eventually. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/36 "2008-12-30T00:44:17Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > The most amount of money won on a single bet was $4,500, by **MadTheSwine** ; he bet $500 on Detroit (+900) to finish the season with the fewest wins. > > . Hooray! unfortunately,thats the only one I got right I think,though I came damn close on a couple(and way off on others). ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553/37 "2008-12-30T08:15:00Z")
Sorry for the delay; I wanted to build suspense (and also take a break and do other things for a while). 1. Hamlet, $5,292 2. MadTheSwine, $4,500 3. Jules Andre, $3,990 4. Hawkeyeop, $3,770 5. Taber, $3,280 6. VarlosZ, $3,140 7. Cyberhwk, $2,554 8. SenorBeef, $1,868 9. RNATB, $1,841 That’s right, only one entrant turned a profit, and it was a mere 6% of his bankroll at that. Our second place finisher, meanwhile, won only a single bet (out of 10). The third place finisher won only 3 wagers (out of 13), but when combined with the $2,000 he chose not to risk they were enough to put him into the top three. It’s possible I made a mistake somewhere, so everyone is encouraged to double check their total. I admit that I envisioned more participants when I volunteered cash prizes, but ultimately I suppose it makes no difference. PMs will go out to the top spots and, barring any corrections of my math, money should be on its way promptly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-nfl-prop-bet-extravaganza-cash-prizes/458553.md?page=1)