Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Adrian Mills’ tips for Sunday’s showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs include a win for the defending champions with a big game on the ground for their quarterback.
The Super Bowl is almost upon us and we’ve put together a tempting 11/1 Bet Builder selection for the big game between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans on Sunday.
The teams met in the Super Bowl just two seasons ago, when the Chiefs won a thriller 38-35, and fans around the globe won’t be complaining if we are treated to another high-scoring showdown.
The Chiefs are again favourites in the NFL betting on this occasion following a 15-2 regular season and playoff wins over the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.
We’ve chosen a four-leg Bet Builder incorporating a money line pick and player props on rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards.
Super Bowl Bet Builder selections
Kansas City Chiefs Money Line 5/6
Patrick Mahomes Rushing Yards – Over 30.5 20/21
Travis Kelce Total Receptions – Over 6.5 23/20
Dallas Goedert Receiving Yards – Over 51.5 10/11
Bet Builder odds: 11/1
Chiefs can make history with third win in a row
The Chiefs are in the Super Bowl for an incredible fifth time in the last six seasons, but their hunger for success shows no sign of abating and they can make history by becoming the first team to win three successive championships.
None of the previous back-to-back winners even made it back to the Super Bowl for a third try, and the Chiefs looked to have timed their run perfectly.
Despite chalking up an impressive 15-2 regular-season record to claim the top seed in the AFC play-offs, Andy Reid’s team didn’t really look at their brilliant best for much of the year bu,t with offensive stars back from injury and QB Patrick Mahomes seen at his best in the play-offs, they fended off a strong challenge from the Buffalo Bills to make the big game again.
The Eagles are likely to put up another creditable effort and have a strong running game led by Saquon Barkley, but the Chiefs have the edge in big-game experience, coaching and at quarterback.
Mahomes may have to use his legs too
Patrick Mahomes is more famous for his improvised passes and cool head under pressure, but he can also make a mark with his legs and pick up valuable first downs when rushing rather than passing.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP carried the ball himself 11 times for 43 yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Bills in the AFC Championship game.
While that was his best effort since a 60-yard rushing game against the Panthers in November (which included a 33-yard run) he may have to escape the pocket before he can pass due to pressure from the Eagles’ pass-rushers and he can record at least 32 rushing yards.
Kelce set to see plenty of action
Travis Kelce was the Chiefs’ leading receiver in the Super Bowl against the Eagles two years ago, with six receptions for 81 yards, and he repeated the feat with nine catches for 93 yards against the 49ers last season.
The veteran tight end had 10 receptions for 133 yards in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers in 2021, so there is an established pattern that Mahomes looks for his favourite target early and often in big games.
Kelce had a quiet outing against the Bills, but had snared eight and seven catches in his previous two games and could be in line to make at least seven in New Orleans.
Goedert a real threat for the Eagles
Kelce is not the only talented tight end who will be playing in the Super Bowl, as Dallas Goedert is a key part of the Eagles offence and should post a solid receiving yards total on Sunday.
Goedert is the teams’ leading receiver in the playoffs, outshining wideouts AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith with 188 receiving yards at an average of 62.67 per game after catching seven of the eight passes that came his way for 85 yards in the 55-23 NFC Championship victory over the Washington Commanders.
Texans tight end Dalton Schultz had 63 receiving yards against the Chiefs in their play-off clash and the Chiefs have conceded an average of six receptions for 67.2 yards per game to opposition tight ends, so Goedert looks capable of registering at least 52 yards.