Andrew Wilsher
NFL
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The Super Bowl is finally here, and as is tradition, there are all kinds of different bets you can make on the big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. From standard side and total bets to wagering on novelty props, including things like the coin toss and color of the Gatorade shower, the Super Bowl has all kinds of ways to enhance your excitement of the huge spectacle with Super Bowl Prop Bets. That even extends to the opening kickoff.
Much like the coin toss and the length of the national anthem, betting on whether or not the opening kickoff will be a touchback gives bettors the opportunity to secure an early win on their Super Bowl wagers if picking correctly. So, yes or no – will the opening kickoff result in a touchback? Let’s break it all down.
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Super Bowl Opening Kickoff to be a Touchback Odds
These are the current Super Bowl Odds on the opening kickoff to be a touchback, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Yes (-160) (last year -108)
- No (+124) (last year -118)
As highlighted above, yes there will be a touchback is the current favorite. This is a shift from last year in the Rams vs Bengals Super Bowl, when “no” was favorite at -118 odds, although “yes” was a very narrow underdog at -108 odds. The kickoff was a touchback in that game. The year prior when the Chiefs played the Buccaneers, “yes” was the heavy favorite at -305 while “no” was +230. The kickoff was not a touchback.
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Super Bowl Opening Kickoff to be a Touchback Picks and Predictions
Opening Kickoff not to result in a touchback (+124)
Although the Eagles and Chiefs rank 11th and 12th respectively in kickoff touchback percentage, there is value in betting on the opening kickoff not to be a touchback at +124.
For starters, we have seen opening kickoffs go for a touchback in just 2 of the last 9 Super Bowls, with the kickers often failing to kick the ball the necessary distance to force a touchback. There is a reason why kickers find it so tough in the Super Bowl.
Before every regular-season game in the NFL, each team is given some time to break in the game ball which effectively makes it more kickable. If you’ve ever kicked a football, you will likely agree with me that it becomes easier to kick after a while than when you first start using it. Essentially, NFL regular-season footballs can be kicked into a shape that makes it more aerodynamically friendly and gives it more air time once the game begins.
However, this does not apply to the Super Bowl. Every ball used for the opening kickoff in the big game is immediately taken off the field and displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum. This means that it is not kicked prior to the kickoff either and the ball is literally used for that one play. Former punter Pat McAfee has referred to the Super Bowl’s opening kickoff ball as being the worst and toughest an NFL kicker will encounter in their career.
The Eagles and Chiefs had respective kickoff touchback percentages of 65.45% and 64.55%, and the likes of Jake Elliott and Harrison Butker may not be able to overcome the ball issue. We cashed this pick 2 years ago at +230 odds in a Super Bowl involving the Chiefs, and this is another great opportunity to cash a plus-money pick right as the game starts.
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