Special Teams
By Kevin Rogers
The special teams' units for both the Saints and Colts will play a vital part in Super Bowl XLIV. The offenses will likely rack up the yardage and points, but field position will be dictated by the return men on both sides. The amount of special teams props can make bettors money, as long as you look in the right places.
Saints' special teams
New Orleans ranked the near the bottom of the league in punt returns this season, totaling 152 yards. However, the Saints accumulated 109 yards in the two playoff victories, including an 83-yard touchdown return by Reggie Bush against the Cardinals. New Orleans had only one other special teams touchdown during the season, as Courtney Roby took back a kickoff return for a score at St. Louis in Week 10.
The perception of Bush is he can break off a solid punt return at any time. However, the numbers this season don't dictate that, as the former USC standout ranked 27th in the league in punt return average and 30th in total punt return yards. On the flip side, Roby was solid returning kicks, finishing the regular season averaging 27.5 yards/return, which was good for third in the league.
There aren't any specific props from the Las Vegas Hilton regarding punt or kick return yardage, but if either team scores a special teams or defensive touchdown, the payout is nice. If a non-offensive touchdown is scored in Super Bowl XLIV, the return is $155 on a $100 bet. If you think the special teams and defense will not score a touchdown, you would bet $175 to win $100.
For those that aren't fans of kickers or punters, these guys can be your best friend or biggest enemy on Super Sunday. Garrett Hartley kicked the Saints into the Super Bowl with a 40-yard field goal in overtime to beat the Vikings, 31-28. Hartley took over in Week 13 for the aging John Carney, lifting New Orleans past Washington in overtime in his first game. Hartley is averaging 7.57 points in the seven games as the Saints' kicker, while tallying at least seven points in four contests. That's important since the total on Hartley's points in the game according to the Hilton is 6 ½ (Bet $1.10 to win $1.00 on either 'over' or 'under').
As far as field goals made by Hartley goes, the total is set at 1 ½. Hartley has made exactly one field goal in each of the last five games, as the 'under' is a chalky -210 (Lay $2.10 to win $1.00). If you want a nice return on the 'over,' bet $1.00 to win $1.80.
Thomas Morstead isn't exactly a guy many non-Saints fans would know, but he is the rookie punter for New Orleans. The ex-SMU Mustang didn't have to work as hard as other punters around the league thanks to the success of the Saints' offense. New Orleans ranked 30th in the league in punts with 58, but Morstead booted away 11 punts in the two playoff games.
Morstead is tied into several props, including one with a solid payout. The Hilton has listed if Morstead will punt a touchback. Before the odds are revealed, we'll tell you how often the rookie has done so this season. Morstead nailed four touchbacks in the regular season, while only one of his 11 postseason punts landed in the end zone. The return on "Yes" is +220 (Bet $1.00 to win $2.20), while "No" is a chalky -260 (Bet $2.60 to win $1.00).
Colts' special teams
Indianapolis doesn't hold a great advantage in the return game over New Orleans, as kick returner Chad Simpson ranks 22nd in the league averaging 23.6 yards/return. Simpson is responsible for the Colts' lone special teams touchdown, coming in Week 15 at Jacksonville. T.J. Rushing finished three slots ahead of Bush in the punt return game, averaging 5.7 yards/return.
The Colts have also gone through several kickers this season, starting with former Super Bowl standout Adam Vinatieri. The ex-Patriot kicked the first five weeks of the season before an injury shelved him the rest of the way. Indianapolis turned to veteran Matt Stover to take Vinatieri's place on the roster. The all-time leading scorer in Ravens' history converted nine of 11 field-goal attempts this season, as the Colts were tied for last in the league with 16 field goals.
Due to Indianapolis' powerful offense, the Colts attempted just six field goals outside of 40 yards this season. The Hilton has listed total points for Stover at eight, with the 'over' at even money. If you want to take 'under' eight points, you would have to lay $1.20 to win $1.00. Stover tallied eight points against the Ravens and 12 points against the Jets in the playoffs.
The longest made field goal of the game is listed at 42 ½ for either side (-110 each way). Both teams combined to make six of ten field goals from 40 yards or longer, but the two clubs kicked a total of three field goals in the postseason from this distance.
The Colts punted away 64 times this season, which ranked 27th in the league. Pat McAfee ranked 13th in yards per punt at 44.3, while knocking through six touchbacks. The longest gross punt prop for McAfee is listed at 52 ½ (-110 each way), as his longest punt was at least 53 in ten games this season.
Which team has the edge?
Both these teams haven't had to rely on their kicking games for points thanks to ranking high in many offensive categories. On the flip side, the return men are just an added bonus for field position purposes. The Colts have the kicker with more experience, but the Saints have a kicker with a younger and stronger leg. Even though Bush's numbers aren't fantastic this season, he is always a big-play threat that can break one at any time.
Edge: Saints
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