There is no more popular yearly Super Bowl proposition bet for sports handicappers than the Super Bowl MVP. Frankly, Super Bowl XLVII offers little opportunity to bicker with the oddsmakers.

Here is a look at the contenders and a couple of strong dark horses.

Colin Kaepernick (49ers) +140: Journeyman Larry Brown of the Dallas Cowboys tops the list of winners who did something out of the ordinary to win the MVP. His two interceptions, the second in which was thrown directly to him, propelled him to win the award.

Kaepernick’s running ability gives him the perfect opportunity to shine as a multi-weapon threat. The Ravens faced the option only once all year allowing the Redskins to gain 93 yards rushing on 15 carries out of the option.

Joe Flacco (Ravens) +200: While Peyton Manning is the poster child for a great regular season QB who falters in big games, Flacco is the polar opposite, turning into Superman in the postseason. He has eight touchdowns and no interceptions in this year’s playoffs.

All six previous QBs who threw at least eight touchdowns sans an interception have won the Super Bowl MVP.

Ray Lewis (Ravens) +600: Perhaps the all-time sentimental choice. Keep in mind that fans now account for 80 percent of the vote making the unbearable hype about this being Lewis’ final game quite substantial in prognosticating who will win the MVP.

Frank Gore (49ers) +600: I’d have Gore as a longer shot, but if the Ravens game plan revolves around stopping Kaepernick, no question Gore has the ability to make Baltimore pay.

Michael Crabtree (49ers) +1000: In nine games since the QB switch, Crabtree has 7 TDs and 771 yards receiving. He is very tempting at 10-1.

Ray Rice (Ravens) +1000: Because Rice plays such a physical style, he will benefit greatly from the two weeks off. However, the Niners are stout against the run.

Two strong long shots come from the defensive side of the ball:

Justin Smith (49ers) +2500: The two weeks off will greatly benefit the pass rushing of a star player who has been slowed by a triceps injury. He has already played well against the run and in a low scoring 49ers victory he could easily add his name to the short list of defensive winners.

Ed Reed (Ravens) +2500: Though Reed plays a less aggressive style than he did in the past, he is a star at jumping routes. Colin Kaepernick is starting just his 10th game on the biggest stage. Reed will likely follow Michael Crabtree around and will be licking his chops at a chance to exploit the inexperience of San Fran’s signal caller.

Written by Joe Duffy of VegasTopDogs.com