The eagerly awaited Super Bowl LIV is just around the corner, bringing joy to sports bettors everywhere. This highly anticipated event, known for attracting immense wagers, will witness an epic clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers on February 2nd in Miami.
Last Sunday, both teams emerged victorious in their respective conference championship games.
In the AFC Championship, Kansas City emerged victorious in a fiercely contested match against the Tennessee Titans. Despite falling behind by 10 points in the first quarter, the Chiefs showed remarkable resilience led by their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Eventually, they managed to seize the lead with a score of 21-17 as the first half concluded.
They managed to secure the following two touchdowns, giving them an 18-point lead which ultimately determined the outcome of the game. Throughout the afternoon, Mahomes accumulated a remarkable total of 347 yards and notched four touchdowns.
The 49ers effortlessly secured another victory in the NFC, leaving the Green Bay Packers with slim chances from the start. Dominating the game, the 49ers held a commanding 27-0 lead at halftime.
The Packers offense had a tough evening as quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Unfortunately, the Green Bay defense also struggled to do their job.
In the 37-20 victory, Raheem Mostert, the running back for the Niners, accomplished an impressive feat by running for 220 yards and scoring four touchdowns. On the other hand, Jimmy Garoppolo, who lacked experience, had a relatively easy game as he only had to complete six out of eight passes for 77 yards in the one-sided victory.
Despite the recent busyness of West Virginia sportsbooks, the Super Bowl is expected to generate even more betting activity than usual. All states with legalized sports wagering are anticipated to experience a significant increase in overall betting turnover during the week leading up to the highly anticipated game.
For the first time in the history of online sports betting in the Mountain State, the current mobile betting apps will be accessible for placing bets on the Super Bowl. These apps include:
Both online sportsbooks are already offering numerous lines, consisting of various player and game props.
We should delve further into this year’s matchup and analyze the top Super Bowl betting odds that are currently accessible.
Why San Francisco Will Win
Heading into the Super Bowl, the 49ers find themselves as the slight underdogs during their bye week. Despite their impressive performance in the playoffs, they have been labeled as 1.5-point underdogs by most sportsbooks.
Despite the early betting advantage given to the Chiefs by sportsbooks, there are many who believe in San Francisco’s potential in this match.
During the postseason, the Niners have showcased their incredible defense and well-rounded running game, which are crucial factors in their victories.
In the Divisional Round against Minnesota, their rushing game was on fire as they accumulated a total of 186 yards. Tevin Coleman showcased his skills with 105 yards on the ground, scoring two touchdowns. Additionally, Mostert contributed 58 yards on 12 carries.
Following Coleman’s injury in the early stages of the game against Green Bay, Mostert seized the opportunity and made a significant impact. The 49ers became an indomitable force in the running game, with Mostert amassing an impressive 220 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Coleman, who had 544 rushing yards in 14 regular-season games, suffered a dislocated right shoulder and had to leave the game. Thankfully, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism, stating that he thinks there is a “high probability” of the running back participating in the Super Bowl.
No matter who is on the field, the Niners will rely on their running backs to set the tempo for the offense. If they can dominate the line of scrimmage like they did against the Packers, it won’t make much difference how strong the Chiefs offense is.
In recent times, Kansas City’s defense has shown an impressive performance by limiting the rushing yards of Tennessee’s AFC Championship’s rushing-title winner to a mere 69 yards.
San Francisco’s defensive unit, spearheaded by rookie defensive end Nick Bosa, stands out as its greatest strength. Being the second-overall selection in the previous year’s draft, Bosa has terrorized opposing offenses throughout the season. His remarkable performance in the playoffs includes 10 tackles and three sacks across two games.
Bosa’s teammates comprise a group of talented individuals, which includes:
- DeForest Buckner
- Arik Armstead
- Dee Ford
These exceptional players make up one of the top defensive fronts in the league.
For San Francisco to make a significant impact on the game, they will require the collective efforts of these individuals. By exerting pressure on Mahomes, they have the potential to disrupt the Chiefs’ game plan and unsettle the quarterback.
Both the offensive and defensive fronts of the 49ers will play a crucial role in their success by dominating the line of scrimmage. A strong running game on offense and disruptive play from the defensive front are imperative for them to achieve their goals.
Why Kansas City Will Win
The Kansas City Chiefs possess the most exceptional vertical passing game in the entire NFL. In addition to Mahomes exhibiting unparalleled mastery in his position, the team boasts an abundance of remarkable offensive talent.
Travis Kelce, a top-tier tight end in football, shares the spotlight with George Kittle of the Niners. Kelce’s exceptional performance during the regular season has seamlessly carried into the playoffs, accumulating an impressive 13 receptions for 164 yards and three touchdowns across two games.
Tyreek Hill, the wide receiver, stands out as the primary target on the outside due to his remarkable speed. While a few players may argue their case, there is no doubt that Hill is one of the fastest athletes in the sport.
In addition to Mahomes, there are a couple of other wide receivers on the team who possess incredible speed. Both Sammy Watkins and rookie Mecole Hardman have consistently demonstrated their athletic prowess in recent games.
Despite Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s infrequent commitment to running the ball, he consistently involves starting back Damien Williams in the game plan. Williams has impressively accumulated 157 total yards and scored four touchdowns across the two playoff games.
Kansas City has proven to be unstoppable, boasting the finest quarterback and quite possibly the most formidable group of receivers. In their recent trio of games, KC has displayed their dominance by amassing point totals of 31, 51, and 35.
Should Mahomes receive adequate protection from his offensive line, the 49ers secondary could encounter challenges. Recently, the quarterback has been performing exceptionally well and shows no signs of losing momentum.
So far this postseason, his average total yards per game is over 360, and he has thrown eight touchdowns without any interceptions.
In terms of defense, safety Tyrann Mathieu has proven to be a formidable force. He contributes in various aspects for the Chiefs’ enhanced unit. In the past two games, Mathieu has made a significant impact with 12 total tackles and three pass deflections.
At the forefront, Kansas City possesses a formidable defensive duo in tackle Chris Jones and end Frank Clark, capable of inflicting damage on rival offenses. While Jones is still in the process of regaining his peak form, Clark has impressively recorded four sacks in the past two games.
The Chiefs defense doesn’t require much effort to have a chance at winning, unlike San Francisco. If Kansas City can manage to cause a turnover or two, they will likely accumulate a significant number of points against the Niners.
Super Bowl LIV Betting Odds
The narrow point difference in this year’s Super Bowl hardly influences betting on the game. Those placing bets will choose the team they believe has the greatest chance of winning.
The 49ers are favored by those who believe defense is crucial for winning championships, while the Chiefs are preferred by gamblers who prioritize the coach and quarterback combination.
There is a possibility that the betting odds may undergo significant changes leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. In the event that the point spread approaches three points, it is likely that this strategy will be altered.
When it comes to betting on the total score of the game, bettors will be divided depending on their belief in the superior team. Supporters of San Francisco will lean towards the under, attributing it to the Niners’ exceptional defense.
Conversely, bettors favoring the Chiefs are likely to choose the over bet more frequently. A win for Kansas City usually implies that their offense was able to perform effectively.
Most sportsbooks have set the game’s total at around 54 points.
In addition to the regular betting options, bettors also have the opportunity to wager on various props. Among these, a highly favored one is predicting the player who will be crowned the MVP.
The current lines for Super Bowl LIV’s game, along with the MVP odds, are provided by both DraftKings and FanDuel.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl MVP
DraftKings odds:
- Patrick Mahomes +115
- Jimmy Garoppolo +225
- Raheem Mostert +900
- George Kittle +1600
- Tyreek Hill +2000
- Travis Kelce +2000
FanDuel odds:
- Patrick Mahomes +110
- Jimmy Garoppolo +240
- Raheem Mostert +750
- George Kittle +1700
- Tyreek Hill +1700
- Travis Kelce +2000
Related Articles
