Best Super Bowl LVIII Props for Chiefs Defense
Chiefs Defensive Props: Jones, Bolton Worth Bettors' Attention
Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas is expected to draw over 100 million viewers in the U.S. alone, possibly matching — or even surpassing — last year’s record total of over 115 million. If recent history is any indication, more than 50 million will bet on the game.
A majority of those wagers will be on pre-game prop bets focused on individual stats, such as Travis Kelce’s receiving yardage. But for the sake of this article, we’re turning our attention to the other side of the ball.
With the big game less than two weeks away, here are some of our favorite Chiefs defensive props.
Chris Jones: Over 0.25 Sacks (+110)
George Karlaftis has been a game-wrecker this postseason, with 2.5 sacks in three games. Only one NFL player has more. Bettors may stick with the hot hand, and for good reason.
But don’t forget about Jones. Although he’s had a quiet postseason, Jones may still be Kansas City’s most dangerous pass rusher. In just 13 regular-season NFL games, he tied for the team-high with 10.5 sacks and had 13 tackles for loss.
Both Karlaftis and Jones are good bets, but it’s the latter who has better odds at +110. Plus, keep in mind that Karlaftis faces the tougher assignment off the edge against star left tackle Trent Williams.
If you’re feeling bold, Jones is+10000 to win Super Bowl MVP.
Nick Bolton: Over 8.5 Combined Tackles (-120)
Racking up 27 combined tackles and one pass defended, Bolton has been everywhere for Kansas City in these NFL playoffs. The third-year linebacker easily surpassed this Chiefs defensive prop in the first two rounds, registering 10 tackles against Miami and 13 against Buffalo. He wasn’t nearly as productive in the AFC Championship Game (four tackles), but that may have been a product of Baltimore’s pass-heavy approach.
San Francisco won’t want to get into a shootout with Patrick Mahomes and Co. and will likely believe that its best chance of success is to run the ball. That means a heavy workload for Christian McCaffrey, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry in wins over the Packers and Lions.
Kansas City will be relying on Bolton to help stop him.
Chiefs D/ST: Anytime TD (+550)
According to NFL scores, there has been a defensive or special teams touchdown in 26 of 57 Super Bowls, an average of one every 2.2 NFL games. Bettors cashed in +270 odds last year when Bolton scored on a 36-yard fumble return. At least one was scored in four of five Super Bowls between 2013 and 2017.
Kansas City’s defense has scored two touchdowns this NFL season, fumble returns by safeties Mike Edwards and Bryan Cook.
For the most part, the 49ers have done well protecting the ball. They committed 18 turnovers during the regular season, tied for fourth-fewest in the NFL.
That said, if Kansas City’s able to jump in front and force Brock Purdy to throw more than usual, there’ll be opportunities for a game-changing play.
Trent McDuffie: Under 3.5 Solo Tackles (-166)
McDuffie was Kansas City’s second-leading tackler in the regular season but has gone Under this total in all three playoff games.
San Francisco will surely emphasize getting the ball downfield to the likes of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle. That could give a ball-hawking cornerback like McDuffie more opportunities to cash in on this Chiefs defensive prop.
But in this case, we’re going to stick with recent trends and take Under 3.5 solo tackles.
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