NFL Betting Outlook

The matchup is set for Super Bowl LVII. The Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) will take on the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) in what looks to be a classic matchup between two evenly-matched teams. The Eagles enter the contest as the early moneyline favorites. 

But bettors shouldn’t count out Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Their dramatic win over the Bengals in the AFC Championship game proved the Chiefs deserve to represent their conference. 

Super Bowl LVII Analysis

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chief’s 23-20 heart-stopping victory over the Cincinnati Bengals saw Patrick Mahomes lead a late drive to set up the game-winning field goal. However, the Chiefs’ defense held down the fort as the Bengals squandered two opportunities to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs managed to get the ball back with 2:30 on the clock following a timely Chris Jones sack. That play forced the Bengals to punt and give the Chiefs a chance to win the game. However, an unnecessary roughness call on Bengals’ defender Joseph Ossai on Patrick Mahomes set up a 45-yard game-winning field goal.

For the Chiefs, this victory sealed their ticket to the big game. It will be the Chiefs’ first appearance since Super Bowl LV when they lost against Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Chiefs will be looking to ride the arm of MVP favorite Patrick Mahomes. He went 29 of 43 against the Bengals with 326 yards and two touchdowns. While impressive, the Chiefs’ running game needs to do more to support him. Against Cincinnati, the Chiefs rushed for just 42 yards, eight of which came from Mahomes.

The Chiefs’ receiving corps should give the Eagles plenty of concern. Wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling delivered 116 yards on six receptions and one touchdown against Cincinnati, and tight end Travis Kelce added 78 receiving yards on seven catches. Running back Isaiah Pacheco pitched in with five receptions for 59 yards.

While the Chief’s offense looks strong, their defense must step up again. Against the Bengals, the Chiefs sacked Joe Burrow 5 times and added two interceptions. Their secondary will make it challenging for the Eagles to get their passing game going. So, the Chiefs’ rush defense will need to stop the Philly ground game.

If they can hold the Eagles’ offense in check, it should provide Patrick Mahomes enough room to score the points needed to take home the Lombardi trophy. However, the Chiefs are the moneyline underdogs at this point. So, it will take a total team effort for Kansas City to get another Super Bowl win.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles enter the Super Bowl as the moneyline favorites after dropping the hammer on the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. The lopsided 31-7 score showed the Eagles’ dominance. While MVP candidate Jaylen Hurts threw for only 121 yards (15/25), the running game picked up the slack. 

The Eagles rushed for 148 yards and added 4 TDs. Philly’s receivers had a relatively quiet day as DeVonta Smith led the team against San Francisco with 36 yards on two catches.

Philadelphia’s offense must get the passing game going if they want to beat the Chiefs. The Chiefs’ defense held the Bengals to 238 passing yards and 71 rushing yards. Thus, the Eagles need their rushing attack to open up enough room for Hurts to make big plays with his arm. Otherwise, it’ll be up to the Eagle’s defense to keep them in the game.

Philly stifled San Francisco’s offense, holding them to a meager 164 total yards. 49ers quarterbacks managed 97 total passing yards while mustering 81 rushing yards. The Eagles’ defense needs to keep this trend going if they hope to keep the Chiefs’ offense in check.

The Chiefs have five players that could miss action for the Super Bowl: Receivers Mecole Hardman, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Kadarius Toney are probable. Also, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, linebacker Willie Gay and center Landon Dickerson are questionable.

The Eagles have four players who may be out of the lineup on the injury report. Linebacker Kyron Johnson, guard Josh Sills, running back Trey Sermon, and cornerback Josiah Scott are all questionable to play in two weeks.

Super Bowl LVII Odds

The current Super Bowl LVII odds show the Eagles as the moneyline favorites at -130 while the Chiefs sit as the underdogs at +110. The spread for Philadelphia is at -2 (-110), with Kansas City at +2 (-110). The current over/under sits at 49.5.

Expect a close matchup, as the Eagles and Chiefs are both tough on defense. So, a low-scoring ballgame looks to be in order. Similarly, both teams’ offenses have the firepower to change the outcome quickly.

Still, it doesn’t seem like there will be any breakout performances in this matchup. Bettors can expect a close game decided by less than a touchdown.

Look for the Eagles to top the Chiefs by under seven points. Philly should cover the spread but not by much.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.