Super Bowl LIII(E), The Past vs. The Future: Wednesday and Thursday Notes

• Well, Roger Goodell didn't change anyone's mind regarding the no-calls in New Orleans almost two weeks ago.
• Goodell claims he has reached out to members of the New Orleans Saints organization, a claim most have denied.
• And he didn't have to -- all lawsuits vis-a-vis the rig-job in New Orleans have been thrown out. 
• Again, you have NO RIGHT to a legal, lawful, or fair sporting contest -- and that goes for any party when a league or other sanctioning body mandates a result.
• And here's a story no surprise to the Super Bowl:  Ketan Shah must turn himself in by Sunday for his role in a fraud scheme for Super Bowl tickets which netted him $750,000.  He even fucked his own mother out of $36,000.  (Deadspin)
• He has disappeared from sight, raising questions as to why he would do this and then disappear -- up to and including an outwardly-clean business record Shah has had which probably is anything but.
• Another bunch of prop bets for Sunday -- these from Yardbarker -- probably offshore, but maybe some of the 440 from the Superbook.

1. Gladys Knight will perform the National Anthem -- the over-under is 1:47 (over -160, under +120).  YB says take the over, so do I.
2.  First offensive play:  Run (-145) or Pass (+115).  Especially given the possibility that this, like at least one other prop bet YB is reporting, is more based on who gets the ball first, I'd say Pass at better than even odds is a good bet here.
3. Which team scores first?  Pats (-125) Rams (-105)  Same drill, especially since this is two of the better scoring offenses in the league!
4. Will Gronkowski score a touchdown?  Yes is even money, no is -130.  I like the Yes bet here because I do think there will be several Patriots touchdowns.
5. Here's a stupid one:  To the satisfaction of the book, what will be the predominant color of Adam Levine's shirt (Maroon 5) to start the halftime show?  Black is -160, Not Black is +120.
6. Adam Gurley's rushing yards:  O/U 72.5 (Over is -105, Under is -125).  I'd say base this bet on who you think is going to win the game -- if you think the Rams are going to win, take the over.  If the Pats, take the under.
7. How many times will Tom Brady's wife be on camera?  More Gisele than 1.5 times is +160, Less is -200.  Oh come the fuck on -- Brazilian supermodel, complete stereotypical White Jock Superiority in toxic masculinity America -- OVER OVER OVER.
8. Will either of the announcers refer to Atlanta by one of their nicknames "Hotlanta"?  Yes is +200, No is -260.  I think it depends on the game.  You get another of those 53-50 rig-jobs (I don't think it's going to get that high), and they will...

As for the current real numbers:

Superbook now has it NE -2.5 with regular juice on both sides.  Over-under is 56.5, also the regular -110 on both sides.

William Hill has actually gone to NE -3 EVEN (Rams +3 -120).

The Wynn, as of about 2 PM Pacific today, has the game NE -2 at regular juice on both sides.

You definitely have potential for the bookie's nightmare:  A Super Bowl "middle".  Where you take the Patriots +1 when it opens and the Rams +3 later, and the Pats win 28-27 or somesuch.

• And a reported sacrifice to football and CTE: "Mr. Falcon", Tommy Nobis (given that nickname for 35 years of service to the Atlanta team, both on and off the field -- most severe form of CTE, reported post-mortem this week.  No one in the family is surprised:  Dementia, outbursts, anger, etc.