The Super Bowl LIX matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles is set for Sunday, Jan. 9. Both teams have depended on special quarterback play to reach the big game, but neither Patrick Mahomes or Jalen Hurts have been spectacular passers throughout the playoffs so far. The passing prop market is interesting for both signal callers. Let’s get into what makes the most sense from a betting perspective.
Mahomes has thrown just 51 passes through a pair of playoff games this year. That's surprising given that he averaged more than 36 passing attempts per game during the regular season en route to 3,928 yards through the air. His receiving corps has been getting healthier all the while, but that might not be enough against the stout defense the Chiefs will face on Sunday.
“The offense hasn’t been that explosive and this Eagles defense is really good,” BetMGM Network’s Chelsa Messinger said Tuesday on The Daily Tip. “It’s not a great matchup for the passing offense going against this secondary of the Eagles.”
Philadelphia gave up the least passing yards (2,964) in the NFL during the regular season. That doesn’t bode well for a Kansas City team that’s gotten most of their scores on the ground this postseason. The Eagles have thrived on the ground thanks to star running back Saquon Barkley and it might be in the Chiefs’ best interest to stack the box and make them throw. That could make Jalen Hurts the more dangerous passing threat in this matchup.
“You want this Eagles team to have to beat you by the arm of Jalen Hurts,” Messenger added. “And I think we’ve seen flashes of the passing game being good. And it doesn’t even have to be good for him to go over this number.”
Hurts found his stride and threw for 290 yards against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship and will face a worse secondary in the Super Bowl. He was more reliable pass catchers out wide and Kansas City has schemed well against dynamic running backs all year. Bettors should jump at the chance to get such a low number for Hurts in a game where the fate of his team will likely depend on him making unexpected and necessary plays down the field with his arm.
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