NFL Tips: Our quick-fire guide to the Super Bowl’s Best Bets

I cannot envisage a way in which the Chiefs stop the Eagles’ offence if they can stay ahead of the chains on first and second down. Maybe I’m wishcasting, but I think Philly cause the upset.

I can’t escape the feeling that the game ends in one of two ways, a narrow Chiefs win or the Eagles getting the ground game working and winning by a large margin. I’m taking the Chiefs for their experience and Patrick Mahomes’ ability under pressure.

I picked the Kansas City Chiefs to 3-peat at the start of the season so I’m not going to back out now even if I’d prefer the Eagles to win it!

I struggle to imagine Nick Sirianni as a Super Bowl winning coach, but the Saquon factor and Dick Fangio’s defence means it’s a real possibility. Still, I think the Eagles are due some turnover luck regression and the Chiefs have seen this all before. If KC protects the ball, they squeak it again.

Philly for me.

I’m normally conservative when it comes to points totals in big games, but I think these two will put on one for the ages. Over.

I’m taking the Under here. The Eagles defense were number one in DVOA in the NFL in the regular season, while the Chiefs have been good against the run which is a key part of the Eagles game plan. Plus we have to factor in that these games can often be cagey to start.

Over. The two teams met in the Super Bowl two years ago and combined for 73 points. I’d be taking the Over even if it was 10 points higher.

Inclined to go Under just because I expect these teams to go on long drives and shorten the game with a lot of running plays and low-risk passes.

Under on the total.

I think I’ll side with Saquon Barkley because backing him first is the only way to grab value about him scoring. And that’s an outcome you want on your side coming into this game.

If you’re backing the Eagles then you have to take Saquon Barkley first but as I’m going Chiefs I’m taking the very unsexy selection of Kareem Hunt. He seems to be the man getting the carries in this Chiefs offense right now.

Saquon Barkley is favourite but I think I’ll back Jalen Hurts at around  6/1 to open the scoring. With the ‘Brotherly Shove’ in their back pocket the Eagles have pushed Hurts over the line five times in three games against the Chiefs.

I’m surprised Saquon Barkley is 4/1, frankly, so I think that’s probably the best bet. If you want to juice it up, there’s a special Saquon First TD and MVP line that might be of interest too.

Jalen Hurts. The Brotherly Shove will set the tone nice and early.

I’d probably opt for Dallas Goedert because he’s been heating up over the last few weeks. The Chiefs have a number of very good linebackers, but their best tight-end matchup is Drue Tranquill and he’s lost a step.

The Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy is the one for me. He’s got the most interesting skillset on his team’s offense and you can see in recent weeks that they’ve really tried to get him going and utilise him in different ways. He offers something nobody else does and when we’re playing in those big games it’s these players who can be difference makers.

Patrick Mahomes runs more in the Super Bowl than in any other game. Averaging almost twice as many attempts in the big game, I’m backing him to match Hurts and score himself.

Barkley’s fine for a Bet Builder, but we’d like something spicier for an anytime interest, and I’ve found the spiciest pick I can make an argument for in Chiefs kick returner Nikko Remigio.

He has looked very lively since taking over those duties back in December and I wouldn’t rule out a trick play role for him in this game either.  The price is huge, but I love having a small stake on something like this.

Saquon Barkley is the safe bet here, he will be a vital red zone weapon for Philly.

Jalen Hurts. You will never, ever get this price about a QB in a Super Bowl again.

If it’s the Chiefs, and I think it will be, then we’re taking Patrick Mahomes. It’s not the bravest or boldest call but it’s one that makes. If the Eagles win then it could get tasty. Saquon has been their best player across the playoffs and would likely get it because I can’t see them winning without him going off, but you never know, a dominant defensive performance from an Eagles player could see it swing there. Given Zack Baun’s season, he could be the long shot.

Tough to look past Mahomes if the Chiefs do win or Barkley if it’s the Eagles. Massive Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter for the Eagles is a fun bet at 70/1 if the Eagles can contain the Chiefs.

I think the Chiefs win, and that means Patrick Mahomes in all likelihood, but for an even more speculative call than a kick returner TD, Eagles linebacker Zack Baun has been one of the stories of the season, has made huge plays and, if Philly do come through, there’s a good chance he’s made the difference with a turnover or two.

Barkley again. He’s waited so long for this moment, he’s not going to let it slip.

DeAndre Hopkins – Over 13.5 Receiving Yards. They know they can’t match up across the board talent-wise, but having Nuk one-v-one against Mitchell or DeJean will be tempting given the size advantage.

It’s a ridiculous bet but I always love to have a little flutter on the colour of the Gatorade poured over the winning head coach. Orange has been the most common since 2001, being used on five occasions. However, the current favourite is purple because the Chiefs have used that in the past two Super Bowls. Why would they change now and break luck/tradition? You’re getting a bigger price on that than the Chiefs to win the game, so take the Gatorade.

Coaches have been known to get clever and intentionally allow safeties in the Super Bowl so I’m backing a Safety During the Game at 10/1.

Perhaps it’s pure superstition,  but I’d like to have Chiefs TE Travis Kelce onside in some fashion as he just always seems to come through when the Chiefs need him, so I’ll take the #WhatOddsPaddy price on him to record 25+ receiving yards in each half.

The MVP to thank his team-mates first in his post-game acceptance speech.

I’d normally say no, but if there’s going to be an offside on the PAT, that will move the ball to the one-yard line – and if that’s the case, Philly will absolutely push Jalen Hurts’ bottom. So, yes for me.

Almost certainly.

Yes. In what should be a high scoring game every point matters and both teams are no strangers to taking the gamble and going for two.

It’s likelier in a high-scoring game as one team may need to close an awkward deficit at some point, and the Eagles are more likely to do it by choice than the Chiefs, but I’ll still say yes as it really feel like the nerds have won and teams are much keener to look at the statistical probabilities in decision-making in general now.

100%

You want something with a phenomenal tape intro to launch the concert, and United in Grief fits the bill at a big, big price.

I’m taking TV Off to be first. I don’t think he starts with any collabs or any of the Drake disses like Not Like Us. TV Off starts with a sax before hitting that West Count sound. I can really imagine that firing through the speakers at the Superdome.

After extensive research (texting my mates who are Kendrick fans) they’re picking TV Off at 7/1 to kick off a highly anticipated half-time show

Bit basic, but Not Like Us makes the most sense to me.

Not Like Us.

14 – which is one more than the number of false starts Jawaan Taylor will get away with. At least three of them will be genuine, too. But they’ll all be for unsportsmanlike conduct, complaining about bad calls in the first place.

We’re all going to be acting like Mikel Arteta and claiming for things that aren’t really there. It’ll be fine but that won’t stop Twitter going mad about something.

It’s not about how many penalties the Chiefs get but when. Look for a ‘generous’ call on a key 4th quarter 3rd down and at least 1 roughing the passer call for breathing near Patrick Mahomes.

About as many that go against them, not that it’ll stop conspiracy theories proliferating if they win again.

Four flags go in favour of the Chiefs, three are absolutely fine, one is because an Eagles defensive-lineman sneezed on Mahomes.

As the resident Birmingham City fan in Power Tower, I certainly hope so. It probably means we beat Newcastle the day before.

Let’s hope not. The last thing I need is the thought of Jay Stansfield ruining my night.

If you’ve got the chance to talk about Jay Stansfield and Alfie May to a global audience, why wouldn’t you take it?

TB12’s brand is so diversified now if he starts name-checking all his interests he’ll miss half the game.

Yes after they stun Newcastle in the FA Cup.