NFL
Money Factors: Super Bowl LIV
Breaking down the important factors that could decide the result of this game
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This is the last game of the NFL season with a Lombardi trophy on the line, along with millions of dollars in wagers across the globe. Numbers are crunched, analysts speak their minds, and the general public hops on their laptop and picks who they think will win. When it comes to The Big Game, truly anything can happen. This article isn’t meant to persuade a wagerer to pick a side, but provide information that could affect the result of the game. At the end of the day, the game truly comes down to execution and both teams are poised to get the job done, but who has the “edge” in these important categories?
Injuries have the opportunity to play a massive role in any game, especially when a team is dealing with a star player out. Even a plethora of solid starters being injured can impact the overall outlook and performance of that team. Luckily for everybody’s sake, Super Bowl LIV has no players listed on the injury report for either team. However, Kansas City is dealing with some injuries that happened earlier in the year. A more in depth look at the injury battle can be seen here.
EDGE: San Francisco
Football is one of the only major sports to host its championship game at a neutral site. The schedule advantage plays a massive role for teams in getting to the Super Bowl, but the actual Super Bowl itself doesn’t have a major impact. With the Super Bowl being played in Miami, neither team is impacted by playing in a dome. Kansas City has the advantage when it comes to distance, with San Francisco fans needing to travel twice the distance as Kansas City fans (3,000 miles vs 1,500). According to Vivid Seats, it’s looking like Kansas City fans are trying to give their team the extra 12th man.
EDGE: Kansas City, slight edge
Kansas City: 3-0
San Francisco: 3-0
Kansas City: 5-0
San Francisco: 4-1
Kansas City: 9-1
San Francisco: 7-3
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have been getting the job done in the second half of the year, even while playing from behind in some instances. San Francisco, with their stout defense and running attack, has gotten early leads and been able to keep them for the most part. Besides a questionable 22-29 loss to Atlanta in Week 15, the only other teams San Francisco has fallen to this entire season is division rival Seattle (in overtime) and the electrifying Baltimore Ravens led by MVP Lamar Jackson.
Kansas City has seen itself come from behind down 24 against Houston in the Divisional Round and double digits in the AFC Championship game against Tennessee. Getting down early against a team like San Francisco could spell trouble for Andy Reid. Kansas City needs to ride the wave of two back-to-back double-digit deficit wins, while San Francisco must get a passing game going early. Kansas City’s defense found a groove at the end of the season, averaging 11.5 PPG allowed in the last six games. When you pair that with Patrick Mahomes playing at an all-time level, Kansas City gets the edge here with their exhilarating playoff wins that could give them confidence, even if they trail late in this game.
EDGE: Kansas City
Major matchups are put under a microscope in big events, and no other event is as big as the Super Bowl. Stars put on a show, average players make names for themselves, and legends are born. Refer to PSO’s own Super Bowl LIV Preview to get a full synopsis on the major matchups.
One matchup to keep an eye on will be the battle of the trenches. Jimmy G vs Kansas City’s front 7 and Mahomes vs San Francisco’s front 7 could ultimately determine the game. Patrick Mahomes is expected to play better, but Garoppolo getting the ball out quick and limiting his turnovers is crucial in getting his team the victory. San Francisco’s defense got healthy at the right time and has been playing lights out as of recent. Disrupting Mahomes in the pocket is going to be key for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s crew. Even with a matchup advantage in quarterback and coaching for Kansas City, the defensive front for San Francisco could prove too much to handle for an unspectacular Offensive Line.
EDGE: San Francisco, slight edge
Kansas City has been an absolute money maker for its bettor’s this year, covering on their last eight games. Take Kansas City and win the bet, it’s literally been as simple as that. San Francisco has been almost as good, but not nearly as perfect. When it comes to being consistently good, Kansas City has the edge in that department as well. Taking into account the third trend of San Francisco typically being unable to cover after covering their last two games and there’s another edge for Kansas City. When it comes to the Super Bowl trends can be deceiving, but all the trends are favoring Andy Reid’s squad.
EDGE: Kansas City
Kansas City is run by an MVP quarterback and a well-respected, future Hall of Fame coach desperate for his first ring. The team is predicated on scoring a lot and scoring fast, with their defense sporting a bend-but-don’t-break type of style. San Francisco runs a more risk-free offense, highlighted by numerous run schemes under offensive-minded coach Kyle Shanahan. Relying on their defense much of the year, San Francisco will face a true test when the two teams meet in Miami. If San Francisco can go up early and sustain a lead, there’s a good chance they can come away with a win. If Kansas City has the opportunity for their signal caller Patrick Mahomes to make plays down the stretch, Andy Reid can finally get his coveted Championship.
EDGE: Kansas City, slight edge
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