When you think of Christmas Day, maybe your mind drifts to unwrapped presents and warm wassail (whatever that is) being enjoyed by friends and family over near the mistletoe. Quaint, traditional stuff. But this year, thanks to the NFL and Netflix, the holiday could also mean smashmouth Houston Texans football, a stirring live concert performance by Beyoncé and maybe even the cha-ching of a monetary windfall by cashing in on some fun Christmas Day sports betting.
The home team will take on the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium Christmas afternoon. The game will be televised on Netflix, as part of the streamer’s first foray into NFL broadcasting and, to celebrate it all, Beyoncé has been tabbed to perform during halftime of the matchup. Since she’s a Houston music legend and an icon of the entertainment industry booked for a Netflix concert on a major holiday, interest is higher than Santa’s sleigh.
Queen Bey’s halftime show possibilities are endless, a notion recognized by the sports industry’s top betting sites. Everything from what songs she’ll sing to what she might wear is garnering attention and Sportsbook Review, a premier, one-stop online shop for all things sports betting, has all the insight into the bets that can be made on not only the game (if your playoff bound Texans are getting points, take ‘em, we say) but also on what will surely be a memorable halftime set from Cowboy Carter.
We’re very excited about the performance and also the chance to cash in on our longstanding membership in the BeyHive. Houston knows and loves Beyoncé so well, it seems we’re a shoo-in for a cash-in on some of the cool bets being offered by various sportsbooks. But, just to be sure we know what we’re doing when we lay our cold hard cash down on a prop bet or parlay, we surveyed Sportsbook Review’s site for its expert takes on the odds and asked a dedicated local Beyoncé fan for their expert opinion.
Sportsbook Review has laid out some odds on the popular prop wagers being offered on the performance. We know they’re sports experts, but they also seem to be music fans, or at least fans of Houston’s biggest music superstar. Starting at the natural place of “First Song Performed,” the site currently has “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the massive hit from Beyoncé’s recent country album Cowboy Carter, as a +195 probable to kick off the set. That’s an implied probability of about 34 percent and will nearly double your money on a $10 bet. We like it!
Other songs in the mix include “Levi’s Jeans” (+340), “Blackbiird” (+1400), and “All I Want for Christmas is You,” an ultra-longshot at +9500, which would get you $950 on a $10 bet but only has a 1 percent probability of hitting. Maybe because the song was popularized by another R&B diva.
The sites are also taking bets on who might accompany Beyoncé on stage during the performance. The smart money is currently on fellow music legend, Dolly Parton, who performed a halftime set last Thanksgiving during a Dallas Cowboys game and is featured on Cowboy Carter. Odds are about 66 percent that she’d grace the stage at NRG. Some other solid choices include Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and Willie Nelson. Our money would be on the king of all Houston hip hop and frequent NRG visitor, Bun B. But, Sportsbook Review doesn’t even list odds for a Bun-Bey mashup.
Because she’s a fashionista too, the sports betting world is taking wagers on the color of Beyoncé’s wardrobe during the set. It’ll be Christmas Day, so “red” is a notable favorite at +125, or about 44 percent probability. “Gold” follows at +450 and “black” is presently at +650.
There’s even an over/under bet being offered by the sportsbooks, with odds evenly split on whether she’ll perform more of fewer than 8.5 songs. We’re really hoping she stops right in the middle of that ninth song to create a push!
Sportsbook Review’s writer Dave Crowley offers lots of good reasons for choosing certain picks and even bundles a few in a parlay for bettors. He’s going with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Miley Cyrus as a special guest and likes the under on the 8.5 song list. Solid choices, we say. But, we asked a Houstonian and Beyoncé’ fan we know for some close-to-home insight.
Joseph Berck is the owner of Bloom Handcrafted Beauty Products in Houston’s East End. The shop is open for your Christmas shopping needs and would surely be a Beyoncé favorite, if she ever needed any help with the glow up (she doesn’t, of course). Were she to wander into Bloom, she’d find a huge fan of her music and career in Berck.
“Thank you for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to share my predictions for Beyoncé’s Christmas performance. I had a lot of fun thinking about what this iconic event might look like! So sorry for the delay, we’ve been working as Santa slaves this holiday season,” Berck said.
“I’ve seen her twice and both times were absolutely unforgettable. Her energy, precision and ability to connect with the audience are unmatched. It’s like being part of something larger than life but still incredibly personal.”
Take note Texans-Ravens ticketholders. Sounds like you’re in for something unforgettable. We asked Berck for his opinion on the new album. And he proclaimed it “nothing short of revolutionary, a bold reclamation of genres rooted in Black artistry. Much like Renaissance, this album celebrates the legacy of Black creators who laid the foundation for so many musical styles. With Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé takes us on a journey through the rich tapestry of Black music, blending country, blues, soul, gospel and opera with her signature modern twist.
“Every track feels intentional, honoring the past while pushing the boundaries of what music can be,” he continued. “Her vocals are electric, her storytelling raw and unapologetic and her production choices groundbreaking. Beyoncé reminds the world that these genres are not just history, they’re alive, dynamic, and Black at their core.
“Cowboy Carter isn’t just an album, it’s a cultural statement, a celebration of heritage, and yet another crown jewel in Beyoncé’s unparalleled legacy. She’s not just making music, she’s making history,” Berck concluded.
Sounds like a fan to us! So, how would he parlay these popular prop bets?
“I believe Beyoncé will open the show with ‘Ameriican Requiem,’” Berck said. Present odds are +1400, in underdog range, and a straight $10 bet would return 140 bucks. “Just like on the Renaissance tour, where she started with the ballad ‘Dangerously in Love,’ it makes sense for her to set the tone with something powerful and emotional. ‘Ameriican Requiem’ feels like the perfect choice to draw everyone in and set the stage for an unforgettable night.”
“I think she might wear something black,” Berck said of her halftime show attire, “or Texas-inspired, like red, white, and blue, to pay homage to her roots.”
“I’d love to see another Houston native join her. Megan Thee Stallion, Bun B or Lizzo would be incredible choices,” Berck said of the special guest bet, though none of those choices are noted in Sportsbook Review’s review of this prop. “And wouldn’t it be amazing if Dolly Parton made a surprise appearance? That would be iconic!”
With or without Dolly, Beyoncé’s halftime set on Christmas Day on Netflix’s first day of NFL coverage is a can’t-miss bet to be iconic. Now, if we could only find a sportsbook that’ll take the over on the number of times her show is interrupted by nagging, dreaded buffering.
Beyoncé, halftime of the Houston Texans-Baltimore Ravens NFL game, December 25 on Netflix.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
