As the premier betting event in all of sports, the Super Bowl has been attracting gamblers to Las Vegas for more than a half-century. But this 58th edition holds special significance because the city is hosting the game for the first time.
Click here for all of the King of Props' Super Bowl LVIII props.
Home to the “Black Hole” when the Raiders are playing, Allegiant Stadium will be awash in the other color on the roulette wheel for this championship rematch between Kansas City and San Francisco. The 2020 meeting featured the Chiefs overcoming a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to earn a 31-20 victory. Having now claimed a fourth AFC crown in the last five years, they’re looking to take down the 49ers again — but this time as slight underdogs.
The King of Props has likewise been enjoying a run of success, winning both bets on the conference title games and five of his last six overall. In the run-up to the Super Bowl, he provides his favorite investment opportunities right here on Yardbarker.
Bet No. 5: Over 7½ total touchbacks on kickoffs and punts (FanDuel)
To limit the high-speed collisions that more frequently cause injury, the NFL has incentivized taking touchbacks on kickoffs. The ensuing spot is now the 25-yard line — as opposed to the 20 — so returners are less inclined to bring the ball out of their own end zone. And that choice is often removed by strong-legged kickers.
Kansas City’s Harrison Butker registered an 87% touchback percentage during the regular season, seeing only 11 of his 84 kickoffs get returned. San Francisco’s Jake Moody was less prolific at 60%, but the rookie from Michigan has shown improvement in that regard. It’s also important to note that neither kicker benefited from playing half of his games in a dome, where the ball carries better.
Despite the Chiefs and Ravens managing just 27 total points in the AFC Championship, a touchback happened on all seven kickoffs and a punt, making this bet a winner. Meanwhile, the high-scoring 49ers and Lions combined for 12 touchbacks in the NFC Championship, with Moody delivering one on each of his seven kickoffs.
A punt resulting in a touchback is certainly less common, but only six scoring plays are needed to ensure a sufficient number of kickoffs (since each half starts with one). Given the pristine conditions and appreciable elevation of Allegiant Stadium, eight should be enough.
Click here for all of the King of Props' Super Bowl LVIII props.
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