Of our 69 entrants in POPS PROPS IV, 37 (53.62 percent) of them correctly picked the Seattle Seahawks to win Super Bowl XLVIII. But who predicted that the game would be out of hand just seconds into the second-half? Not many of the bold competitors in POPS PROPS IV!
Eric C. and Kyle D. tied for the championship with 38 points and just five points separated the top 19 finishers! The Eric/Kyle triumph was particularly striking, when you consider that neither of this year’s co-champions even submitted answers to the Bonus Logic Puzzle (with 4 possible points). Both Eric and Kyle picked Seattle to win, but had one of them taken the time to fill out the puzzle, they could be standing alone as champion!
Kevin K, eldest son of POPS FRESHNEMEYER, tied Uncle Tony and Tony S. for third place with 36 points. Kevin submitted a logic puzzle but picked Denver to win and earned 0 of 4 possible bonus points. Meanwhile, Uncle Tony earned two points in the logic puzzle for correctly picking the Seahawks to win, but predicted that Wes Welker would earn the first positive yardage in the first half and Marshawn Lynch would earn the first positive yardage in the second half. As it turns out, Welker gained the first positive yardage in the SECOND HALF and Lynch gained the first positive yardage in the FIRST HALF — and Uncle Tony was denied two bonus points. Tony S., like Eric and Kyle, failed to complete a bonus puzzle but picked the Seahawks to win.
CATEGORY LEADERBOARD
| FIRST FOUR (5 questions) | 9 pts. max |
| Brian B. | 6 |
| Jeff B. | 5 |
| 5 tied with | 4 |
| EARLY GAME (10 questions) | 10 pts. max |
| Aunt Sue | 9 |
| Kyle D., Wesley W. | 8 |
| 7 tied with | 7 |
| ENTERTAINMENT (5 questions) | 5 pts. max |
| Erin S., Kevin K., Uncle Tony | 3 |
| 20 tied with | 2 |
| THE TWO HALVES (13 questions) | 13 pts. max |
| Matt H. | 10 |
| 7 tied with | 9 |
| TEAM TOTALS (11 questions) | 11 pts. max |
| Beth C., Jon E. | 9 |
| 6 tied with | 8 |
| INDIVIDUAL TOTALS (18 questions) | 18 pts. max |
| Tony S. | 14 |
| Aaron S. | 13 |
| 4 tied with | 12 |
| CROSSOVERS (7 questions) | 7 pts. max |
| Cousin Kay, Tony S. | 5 |
| Laura O., Rose | 4 |
| 24 tied with | 3 |
A FEW OBSERVATIONS
* For the first time in POPS PROPS history, a quarterback was not selected as the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. Six of our 69 entrants guessed the name of a Seahawk defender, but no one guessed Malcolm Smith. (No, not that Malcolm Smith.) Henceforth, no bonus points were awarded for this question. (30 of our entrants guessed Peyton Manning.)
* Of our top 10 finishers, five picked the Seahawks to win and five picked the Broncos to win.
* 44 of our entrants (64 percent) thought Renee Fleming’s National Anthem would last longer than 2 minutes, 10 seconds. She finished in 2 minutes, 2 seconds.. Meanwhile, only 12 entrants (17 percent) correctly guessed that Fleming would be wearing no gloves at all! Most of our field thought her gloves would be either black (35 percent) or white (21 percent)!
* The kickoff-temperature question (#6) was sort of a dud. It was 49 degrees at kickoff, so the temperature was never an issue. 39 entrants (57 percent) correctly predicted that the temp would be more than 33.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
* It took them long enough, but Joe Buck and Troy Aikman finally cut to Erin Andrews before Pam Oliver. Congratulations to the 38 entrants (55 percent) who got that right for question #8.
* Most of our field thought the Broncos would come out strong and score quickly. 48 entrants (70 percent) incorrectly predicted that they would cross the 50-yard-line first (question #11), 44 entrants (64 percent) erred in thinking that the Broncos would score first (question #12) and 45 contestants (65 percent) were wrong in their belief that Denver would lead at the end of the first quarter (question #18)!
* No one guessed that the first score would be a safety (question #13)!
* The first commercial after the conclusion of the first quarter (question #19) was that terrible Chevy commercial that was somehow also about cancer. 16 entrants (23 percent) correctly predicted that the commercial would be about automobiles. The majority (19 entrants) thought it would be about alcohol!
* Sixteen entrants (23 percent) correctly guessed that Bruno Mars’ first song would be none of the seven possibilities we listed! He opened with part of “Billionaire,” which I guess is an early song of his or something. Just 11 entrants (16 percent) correctly guessed that he would not be wearing a hat!
* Congratulations to the 14 entrants (20 percent) who correctly predicted that two of the Red Hot Chili Peppers would be shirtless (question #24)!
* A whopping 87 percent (60 entrants) of the field correctly guessed that more points would be scored in the second half than the first half! But 75 percent of our field thought the final score would be in the last 3 ½ minutes – it occurred with just over 11 minutes to play!
* One of the closet questions in POPS PROPS IV was whether the total number of touchdowns would be over 5 ½ (question #42). 51 percent correctly said YES!
* Percy Harvin gained the most (137) all-purpose yards (receiving + return + rushing) in the game, and thus 14 entrants (20 percent) got question #46 right when they guessed “Someone else!” Harvin also gained the most rushing yards (45) in the game (question #53), but only 3 entrants (4 percent) correctly guessed “Someone else!” for that one. Finally, despite Harvin’s big night, he gained just 5 receiving yards. So the 38 entrants (55 percent) who guessed the under for question #56 got a well-earned point.
* Most of the field (52 percent) thought there would be under 50 ½ points scored in the game. In fact, there were 51 points scored!
QUESTION SUMMARY
1. Who will win Super Bowl XLVIII?
Denver Broncos 32 46%
Seattle Seahawks 37 54%
2. What will be the total duration of Renee Fleming’s version of the National Anthem? (The timer starts when she begins to sing, not when the music begins.)
Over 2 minutes, 10 seconds 44 64%
Under 2 minutes, 10 seconds 23 33%
Exactly 2 minutes, 10 seconds 2 3%
3. What color gloves will Renee Fleming wear while singing the National Anthem?
Black 24 35%
Red 3 4%
White 21 30%
Some other color! 9 13%
She will not be wearing gloves at all! 12 17%
4. Which team will win the pre-game opening coin toss?
Denver Broncos 40 58%
Seattle Seahawks 29 42%
5. Will the opening coin toss come up heads or tails?
Heads 39 57%
Tails 30 43%
6. What will the temperature be at kickoff?
Over 33.5 degrees Fahrenheit 39 57%
Under 33.5 degrees Fahrenheit 30 43%
7. Will the opening kickoff return be…?
0 to 20 yards 49 71%
21 to 30 yards 17 25%
31 or more yards 3 4%
8. Which sideline reporter will Joe Buck and Troy Aikman cut to first after the kickoff?
Erin Andrews 38 55%
Pam Oliver 31 45%
9. Which team will be assessed the first penalty (not declined)?
Denver Broncos 23 33%
Seattle Seahawks 46 67%
Neither team will be penalized! 0 0%
10. Which team will call the first timeout?
Denver Broncos 41 59%
Seattle Seahawks 28 41%
Neither team will call a timeout! 0 0%
11. Which team will cross the 50-yard-line first?
Denver Broncos 48 70%
Seattle Seahawks 21 30%
12. Which team will score first?
Denver Broncos 44 64%
Seattle Seahawks 25 36%
13. Will the first score be a…?
Defensive or special-teams touchdown 1 1%
Field goal 27 39%
Passing touchdown 32 46%
Rushing touchdown 9 13%
Safety 0 0%
14. Who will throw the first challenge flag?
Denver Broncos coach John Fox 21 30%
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll 34 49%
Neither coach will throw a challenge flag! 14 20%
15. Will the first score be in the first 6 1/2 minutes?
No 31 45%
Yes 38 55%
16. Will the team that scores first win the game?
No 37 54%
Yes 32 46%
17. What will be the total number of points scored in the first quarter?
Over 10 1/2 25 36%
Under 10 1/2 44 64%
18. Which team will lead at the end of the first quarter?
Denver Broncos 45 65%
Seattle Seahawks 19 28%
The score will be tied! 5 7%
19. Will the first Super Bowl commercial after the conclusion of the first quarter advertise?
Alcohol 19 28%
Automobiles or tires 16 23%
Chips or snacks 12 17%
Computers or technology 7 10%
Soft drinks 7 10%
Something else (none of the above)! 8 12%
20. What will be the total number of points scored in the second quarter?
Over 14 1/2 22 32%
Under 14 1/2 47 68%
21. Which team will lead at halftime?
Denver Broncos 36 52%
Seattle Seahawks 29 42%
The score will be tied! 4 6%
22. Which song will Bruno Mars perform first during the halftime show?
Gorilla 7 10%
Grenade 9 13%
Just The Way You Are 9 13%
The Lazy Song 3 4%
Locked Out Of Heaven 15 22%
Marry You 3 4%
Treasure 7 10%
None of these! 16 23%
23. What will Bruno Mars be wearing on his head at the start of his halftime-show performance?
A baseball cap 1 1%
A fedora 31 45%
A fur hat 7 10%
Some sort of knit cap or tuque 19 28%
He will not be wearing a hat! 11 16%
24. How many members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be shirtless during their halftime performance?
Zero 29 42%
1 19 28%
2 14 20%
More than 2! 7 10%
25. What will be the total number of points scored in the third quarter?
Over 14 1/2 23 33%
Under 14 1/2 46 67%
26. What will be the total number of points scored in the fourth quarter?
Over 14 1/2 22 32%
Under 14 1/2 47 68%
27. In which half will there be a greater number of points scored?
The first half 8 12%
The second half 60 87%
The two sums will be equal. 1 1%
28. Which team(s) will score in the final 3 1/2 minutes?
Denver Broncos 13 19%
Seattle Seahawks 27 39%
Both the Broncos and the Seahawks 12 17%
Neither team! 17 25%
29. Which team will score last in the game?
Denver Broncos 27 39%
Seattle Seahawks 42 61%
30. How many penalties will be called in the game?
Over 12 1/2 24 35%
Under 12 1/2 45 65%
31. Which team will have the most penalty yards against?
Denver Broncos 19 28%
Seattle Seahawks 50 72%
The two teams will tie! 0 0%
32. Will the total number of sacks be?
Over 4 1/2 37 54%
Under 4 1/2 32 46%
33. Will the total number of punts be?
Over 8 1/2 32 46%
Under 8 1/2 37 54%
34. Will the total number of interceptions be?
Over 2 1/2 39 57%
Under 2 1/2 30 43%
35. Will the total number of lost fumbles be?
Over 1 1/2 42 61%
Under 1 1/2 27 39%
36. Will the total number of successful third-down conversions be?
Over 15 1/2 32 46%
Under 15 1/2 37 54%
37. Will the total number of successful fourth-down conversions be?
Over 1 1/2 38 55%
Under 1 1/2 31 45%
38. Which team will make the shortest field goal?
Denver Broncos 41 59%
Seattle Seahawks 28 41%
Neither team will make a field goal. 0 0%
39. Will the longest field goal be?
Over 44 1/2 yards 39 57%
Under 44 1/2 yards 30 43%
40. Will the shortest field goal be?
Over 24 1/2 yards 37 54%
Under 24 1/2 yards 32 46%
41. Will the total number of field goals be?
Over 3 1/2 47 68%
Under 3 1/2 22 32%
42. Will the total number of touchdowns be?
Over 5 1/2 35 51%
Under 5 1/2 34 49%
43. Will the longest touchdown be?
Over 42 1/2 yards 41 59%
Under 42 1/2 yards 28 41%
44. Will the shortest touchdown be?
Over 2 1/2 yards 24 35%
Under 2 1/2 yards 45 65%
45. Will there be a special teams or defensive touchdown?
No 30 43%
Yes 39 57%
46. Which player will gain the most all-purpose (receiving + return + rushing) yards?
Doug Baldwin (Seattle) 6 9%
Eric Decker (Denver) 9 13%
Trindon Holliday (Denver) 3 4%
Marshawn Lynch (Seattle) 23 33%
Knowshon Moreno (Denver) 4 6%
Golden Tate (Seattle) 9 13%
Someone else! 14 20%
There will be some sort of tie! 1 1%
47. The total number of passing yards by Peyton Manning (Denver) will be?
Over 275 1/2 41 59%
Under 275 1/2 28 41%
48. The total number of passing yards by Russell Wilson (Seattle) will be?
Over 235 1/2 28 41%
Under 235 1/2 41 59%
49. The total number of passing yards in the game will be?
Over 510 1/2 38 55%
Under 510 1/2 31 45%
50. The total number of passing attempts in the game will be?
Over 72 1/2 29 42%
Under 72 1/2 40 58%
51. The total number of rushing yards by Knowshon Moreno (Denver) will be?
Over 80 1/2 20 29%
Under 80 1/2 49 71%
52. The total number of rushing yards by Marshawn Lynch (Seattle) will be?
Over 88 1/2 52 75%
Under 88 1/2 17 25%
53. Who will have the most rushing yards?
Montee Ball (Denver) 3 4%
Marshawn Lynch (Seattle) 52 75%
Knowshon Moreno (Denver) 7 10%
Russell Wilson (Seattle) 4 6%
Someone else! 3 4%
There will be some sort of tie! 0 0%
54. The total number of receiving yards by Demaryius Thomas (Denver) will be?
Over 75 1/2 34 49%
Under 75 1/2 35 51%
55. The total number of receiving yards by Doug Baldwin (Seattle) will be?
Over 70 1/2 yards 25 36%
Under 70 1/2 yards 44 64%
56. The total number of receiving yards by Percy Harvin (Seattle) will be?
Over 42 1/2 31 45%
Under 42 1/2 38 55%
57. Which receiver will have the most yards receiving?
Doug Baldwin (Seattle) 6 9%
Percy Harvin (Seattle) 7 10%
Jacob Tamme (Denver) 2 3%
Golden Tate (Seattle) 5 7%
Demaryius Thomas (Denver) 17 25%
Wes Welker (Denver) 19 28%
Someone else! 11 16%
There will be some sort of tie! 2 3%
58. Which kicker will have more total points?
Matt Prater (Denver) 30 43%
Steven Hauschka (Seattle) 33 48%
Someone else! 4 6%
There will be some sort of tie! 2 3%
59. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
(Michigan Wolverines + Indiana Hoosiers total points) + 15 (men’s college basketball) 29 42%
Marshawn Lynch (Seattle) + Knowshon Moreno (Denver) total rushing yards? 39 57%
The two sums will be equal! 1 1%
60. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
Missouri Tigers total points at South Carolina Gamecocks (women’s college basketball)? 46 67%
Wes Welker (Denver) total receiving yards? 22 32%
The two sums will be equal! 1 1%
61. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
(Arron Afflalo (Orlando Magic) total points) + 5 at Boston Celtics (NBA) 29 42%
Russell Wilson (Seattle) passing attempts? 39 57%
The two sums will be equal! 1 1%
62. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
Total touchdowns scored by the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks? 42 61%
Total goals scored by the Winnipeg Jets and the Montreal Canadiens? (NHL) 20 29%
The two sums will be equal! 7 10%
63. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
Peyton Manning total touchdowns (passing and rushing)? 42 61%
Total goals scored by West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool (Barclays Premier League)? 21 30%
The two sums will be equal! 6 9%
64. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
Denver Broncos + Seattle Seahawks total sacks? 34 49%
Total goals scored by Celtic and St. Mirren (Scottish Premiership)? 32 46%
The two sums will be equal! 3 4%
65. Which will be greater on Sunday, Feb. 2?
Denver Broncos + Seattle Seahawks total turnovers? 31 45%
Total goals scored by Nottingham Forest and Yeovil Town (English League Championship)? 35 51%
The two sums will be equal! 3 4%
66. How many points will be scored in Super Bowl XLVIII?
Over 50 1/2 33 48%
Under 50 1/2 36 52%
67. Will the total number of points scored be even or odd?
Even 29 42%
Odd 40 58%