The 74th installment of the National Football League’s all-star game — known for the past 33 years as the Pro Bowl — is the precursor to next week’s Super Bowl.

For those of us in the sports betting game, this week represents the calm before the gambling storm, as the Super Bowl this year will offer more than 200 wagering options.

Things you can look forward to for the Super Bowl ledger include length of Madonna’s halftime show, length of the National Anthem, coin toss, plays to start the game, first person to score, amount of challenges, and — my personal favorite— the likelihood of any team scoring three times without the other team scoring.

All of those fun predictions will have to wait until next week, however, as the only thing to talk about for now is the Pro Bowl.

This game, which is more about the week leading up to it than the actual contest, has become mostly worthless. Back in the day, fans could watch countless challenges such as tug-o-war between the two squads, quarterbacks hitting moving targets and a golf skins game during the week leading up to the game.

Now, it has devolved into game coverage with “candid” sideline interviews where the players tell you about how great it is to have their family with them during this special week.

One last gripe I have with the Pro Bowl is the scheduling. The NFL, namely Roger Goodell, has moved the game to the week before the Super Bowl. This means that players in the big game can’t play in the Pro Bowl. It also means the NFL season ends one week earlier — a depressing prospect.

NFC (-4) over AFC: The pick in this game is basically a no-brainer. All of the explosive offensive teams from the NFC failed to make it to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVII.

Since the Pro Bowl is never a defensive game, common sense tells us that a team piloted by Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers is infinitely more likely to outscore the Andy Daltons and Ben Roethlisbergers of the NFL.

However, this is a glorified scrimmage, and nobody will be playing their own offense, so look for an abundance of deep balls and trick plays since neither side will take the game too seriously.

Since Rodgers and Brees are two of the best in the league at pushing the ball downfield, and the AFC has mediocre receivers in comparison, I like the odds of the NFC to build on its trend of winning five of the past eight matchups.

More than 73.5 (total points): As previously stated, this is not a defensive game. The good folks of Honolulu are treated to an annual showcase of offensive warfare. Every year, this game turns into the middle-round montage of Rocky IV where the two fighters trade punches and spit flies for a solid four minutes — amazing work if you ask me.

This game should be no different.

Generally speaking, the only thing that ever keeps the scoring down is if the wind blows at hurricane-force levels, making passing nearly impossible.

For instance, the last time the Pro Bowl had a score lower than 50 was in 2005, when the NFC won
23-17 — a game that was delayed by wind.

So, if you can’t wait for the Super Bowl next week and have to get that gambling fix in now that SOPA and PIPA have dropped from the national legislature, go ahead and take the over — it’s just a safer bet.

Over 2.5 hot mic curse words Since this was the NFL’s season of slip-ups (Ron Jowarski on Monday Night Football, referees dropping “F” bombs when breaking up skirmishes and Ray Lewis’s microphone accidently being on right after a tackle), I figure we should get at least three or four curse words for all to enjoy.

The most likely of phrases will be a combination of mother and, well you know what comes next, as this seems to be at the forefront of most NFL players’ lexicons.

Don’t rule out some racial slurs or other words, however, as the NFL’s best and brightest take the field this Sunday.

Last Week: 2-0-0
Playoffs: 6-4-0