Each week of the NFL season brings a whirlwind of news to keep up with. Injuries, trades, cuts and signings can all influence the NFL betting and props markets, and this article will be your one-stop shop for all the latest happenings as teams hunt for a Super Bowl.
Championship Weekend NFL Betting News And Notes
After five months of scintillating gridiron showdowns, there's only one game left. The Super Bowl matchup is set, and bettors around the world can start to research for the big game in all its glory. Here's the latest NFL betting news after a thrilling Championship Weekend.
Never Bet Against the Chiefs
Death, taxes, and the Kansas City Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl.
Through the trials and tribulations of a frustrating season, Andy Reid's squad persevered. Kansas City will play in their fourth Super Bowl in the six-year Patrick Mahomes era. The Chiefs raced out to an early 17-7 lead, (Travis Kelce cashed those first touchdown scorer +900 bets), and their defense sealed the deal.
Baltimore has to be lamenting their missed opportunities, as the Ravens had multiple chances to score in the second-half but came up short. Credit to Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for crafting an outstanding game plan that flummoxed NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson for most of the afternoon. Kansas City finished with 17 pressures, with an incredible average time to pressure of just 1.84 seconds. The Chiefs also corralled Baltimore's rushing attack, holding the Ravens to just 81 yards on the ground.
How Patrick Mahomes got this ball off and Travis Kelce with an unreal catch! Is there anything these two can't do? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/m9XRcQTudi
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) January 29, 2024
With the, statistically by EPA/play and DVOA, WORST team of Mahomes' career, the Chiefs are playing in the big game. Kansas City as +4.5 underdogs on the spread and their eventual +190 on the AFC Championship game moneyline were the easiest bets of the weekend.
Travis Kelce caught all 11 of his targets for 116 yards and a score, and broke a Jerry Rice record. Let me reiterate that. Kelce surpassed the unquestioned receiving GOAT for most postseason receptions on Sunday. He now has 156 postseason receptions and 19 touchdowns in just 21 career playoff games. Mr. Taylor Swift is officially one of the most unguardable offensive weapons in NFL history. Kelce is +100 to score a touchdown on the early Super Bowl 58 prop lines.
Mahomes is now an incredible 11-1-1 ATS as an underdog in his career, with 10 SU victories. Add to this your NFL betting manifesto, never bet against Patrick Mahomes.
49ers Prove They're NFCs Best
Motown's heroes came up just short. Detroit roared out to a surprising 24-7 first half lead over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Lions quarterback Jared Goff had the offense rolling all cylinders. He went 13-of-20 for 145 yards in the first half, but missed a crucial would-be touchdown to Jahmyr Gibbs on Detroit's final drive. The Lions settled for a field goal, and it was all downhill from there.
Once again, Brock Purdy and co. proved to be too much for their opponent's in the second-half. Purdy sparkled after the break, completing 13-of-16 passes for 174 yards and touchdown and adding 49 crucial rushing yards. San Francisco scored on all five of their second half drives to end the Motown miracle early.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell curiously decided to keep his kicker on the sidelines in the second-half, and Detroit failed to convert on both fourth down occasions. While the Lions converted 52.5% of their fourth down tries this season, Campbell may wish he had made the conservative call on Sunday. With the 49ers offense coming alive, Detroit simply needed to stop the bleeding. An untimely Jahmyr Gibbs fumble inside Lions' territory certainly didn't help matters. Although, the biggest play of the game was a 51-yard miracle reception from Brandon Aiyuk, scooping the ball in mid-air after it caromed off of Lions defensive back Kindle Vildor's helmet. Lions fans will be having nightmares of that play for years to come.
AIYUK UNBELIEVABLE!
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2024
📺: #DETvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gm8L5xwa9D
Despite the loss, Goff threw a late touchdown to cover the spread. Detroit finished the season a wonderful 14-6 (70%) ATS for bettors. Good teams win, great teams cover. Goff continues his run as an NFL spread bettors' dream.
Meanwhile, the 49ers head to Las Vegas as 1.5-point favorites in a Super Bowl 54 rematch with the Chiefs. With the total for the big game opening at 47.5.
