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This will be our fourth year doing this and, so far, Cory is +$31.97 after winning $5 on his Super Bowl LIV prop bets, $9.01 during Super Bowl LV, and then $17.96 last February.
Standings
Fan Contest
Congratulations to Andrew Perez, who has clinched our playoff fan contest with seven correct picks over the course of the postseason. Our season-long contest is still up for grabs as he and James Dailey are tied at 128 correct picks each across the regular and postseason. We’ll update that below at the conclusion of Super Bowl LVII.
P.S. Don’t forget to catch the latest episode of our podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter so you never miss an announcement about when our next show will air. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon to be alerted when we go live. And catch every episode you miss live on your favorite podcast app; we’re on Apple, Amazon, Google, and Spotify!
Can Eric start eating into that deficit? We’ll see. Before we get to our prop bets, though, we’ve got a game to discuss. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will face off on Sunday, each looking to hoist their second Vince Lombardi Trophy of the past six years.
The Eagles last played in this game in February 2018 when they won Super Bowl LII against the Patriots thanks in part to the “Philly Special.” Nick Foles was the Super Bowl MVP after taking over for Carson Wentz due to a late-season injury.
The Chiefs have had more recent success with two Super Bowl appearances in the Patrick Mahomes era. While they suffered one of the most lopsided defeats in recent Super Bowls two years ago when they fell 31-9 against the Buccaneers, they won the previous iteration, Super Bowl LIV, with a 31-20 victory against the 49ers.
The Chiefs were the first AFC franchise not in New England to make back-to-back Super Bowl appearances since the Denver Broncos in the late 90s, and only the Seahawks have managed that feat on the NFC side in that time frame.
Now the Chiefs return to the big game for the third time in four seasons, looking to add a second ring to Mahomes’ already-excellent career.
Andy Reid is already hailed as one of the greatest offensive minds in NFL history and probably the greatest in our hosts’ lifetimes.
Nick Sirianni has gained a lot of respect for his work with this Eagles offense, leading them to two straight playoff appearances and now the NFC’s top seed. Considering he got his start in Kansas City and was not retained by the organization when Andy Reid came to town, after having made the transition from Todd Haley to Romeo Crennel, there has to be a little extra motivation for him to win this game against this opponent.
With Eric and Evan taking their first coaster trip of the year to California this weekend, they didn’t find the time to write out their full thoughts for this week’s game. Instead, we’ll just give you their score predictions, MVP picks, and a recap of Cory’s Madden 23 sim.
The line as of Friday at noon has the Eagles favored by 1.5 and our hosts final score predictions will determine who they are picking against that spread. After that, check out the 10 prop bets Cory and Eric made on this week’s episode of The Sportsballers Podcast as well as our season-long picks records against the spread.
Eric Meyer
Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs – 24, Philadelphia Eagles – 20 (Taking KC +1.5)
Evan Ash
Final Score: Philadelphia Eagles – 30, Kansas City Chiefs – 24 (Taking PHI -1.5)
Cory Puffett
After not purchasing Madden 22 and only getting Madden 23 about two weeks ago while I was out sick with Covid, I wasn’t sure I’d bring back my Madden prediction game, but as the week wore on leading into the Super Bowl, I figured why not?
So on Friday afternoon I powered up Madden 23, got my sliders ready to go, and controlled the Eagles in the first half and the Chiefs in the second half. I always play as the team I’m rooting for in the first half so that my competitive nature can take over in the second half and keep me honest.
This year’s game is much more difficult, and I haven’t gotten much time on the sticks, so unlike most previous years, the CPU definitely had a bit of an edge.
Early inaccuracies by Hurts disrupt the opening drive, but a 49-yard crossing route to DeVonta Smith allowed the Eagles to get in position for Jake Elliott to hit a field goal to get the Eagles out to an early lead.
The Chiefs responded by also getting into field goal range, thanks in part to back-to-back hookups between Mahomes and Kelce. Butker had the leg for the 48-yarder, but missed just outside the left upright.
The Eagles took advantage of the solid field position to get deep into Kansas City territory, but a poor decision to fight through contact on a QB keeper cost Jalen Hurts a fumble. The Eagles defense responded by clamping down and forcing a 3 & out.
Philly improved by getting into the red one on their next position. In fact, they made it inside the 10-yard-line but the Chiefs defense didn’t give up any room in the end zone and the Eagles couldn’t execute on their underneath routes. Jake Elliott was forced to return to the field and give his team a 6-0 lead on the second play of the second quarter.
Held scoreless and largely in check yardage-wise in the first frame, Kansas City got their first great drive of the game, running 12 plays culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Mahomes went 6-6 for 51 yards and the tuddy on the drive, giving his squad their first lead of Super Bowl LVII.
A first-play sack on the next Philly drive ended their possession almost before it started and the Chiefs took advantage with a 7-play drive, mostly on the ground. Mahomes threw just two passes, but they went for 31 yards including another red zone touchdown pass, this time to Travis Kelce.
The Eagles got a strong return to the 37-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. After a short drive to get into field goal range, AJ Brown got open on a go-route on 3rd & 10, but Hurts missed him about 2 yards too deep in the end zone. Another Elliott field goal cut the Chiefs lead to 14-9 with 1:14 to play in the first half, but the Chiefs made quick work to get into range for Butker to make it an 8-point lead at the intermission.
The opening drive of the third quarter was a good one for Kansas City, but a great red zone stand by Philly forced Butker to try his first field goal since his first-quarter miss. He hit this one from 25 yards away to make it a 20-9 Chiefs lead.
Jalen Hurts couldn’t get much going on the ground in the first half, but a combination of improved offensive line play and generally good coverage by the Chiefs secondary allowed him to start taking advantage of his running ability. The Eagles drove downfield and finished with a 3-yard TD run by Hurts, followed by an unsuccessful 2-point try and the Chiefs led by 5.
On second down of the next drive, Philadelphia finally got to Mahomes for their first sack of the game, forcing a 3rd & long which the Chiefs couldn’t convert. Following the three and out, the Eagles completely flipped momentum by picking apart a Chiefs secondary that could no longer decide whether to focus on covering receivers or offering support in the run game.
Hurts scored his second rushing touchdown of the game from one yard away and a completion to AJ Brown added two and gave the Eagles a 23-20 lead, their first since the beginning of the second quarter.
With the game getting out of their control, the Chiefs needed a statement drive. The offense never got a chance to try as Isiah Pacheco did it himself, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to give the lead right back to Kansas City. Unfortunately, the defense was still exhausted from the Eagles previous two drives and Hurts added his first passing touchdown of the contest, finding DeVonta Smith a few minutes into the fourth quarter to make it 30-27, Eagles.
The Chiefs finally gave their defense a chance to rest and got a few first downs. The drive stalled out, but the Chiefs pinned the Eagles at the 8-yard-line to begin their next drive with 7:26 remaining. It didn’t matter and 10 plays later Hurts found Dallas Goedert for his second touchdown pass of the fourth quarter.
Trailing by two scores, Mahomes did what he does best in crunch time. He put together an 11-play drive in just over two minutes, ending with Kelce’s second touchdown catch of the game. The Eagles led by three with 1:17 to play.
Rather than attempt the onside kick, the Chiefs decided to play defense and give it to the Eagles on their 25. Two runs quickly went nowhere and on third down the Chiefs were able to contain Jalen Hurts and arrest his scramble attempt a couple of yards short of the sticks. With 55 second left, and no timeouts, Patrick Mahomes would get one more chance.
A furious drive got the Chiefs into field goal range with 28 second remaining. After an incompletion, they went with a go route to JuJu Smith-Schuster. He was stopped just two yards short of the goal line, but the Chiefs couldn’t get up in time to clock it before time expired.
Final Score: Philadelphia Eagles – 37, Kansas City Chiefs – 34 (Taking PHI -1.5)
Notable player stats from Cory’s Madden sim:
Passing
· Jalen Hurts (27-38, 338 yards, 2 TD)
Rushing
· Jalen Hurts (11 carries, 92 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving
· DeVonta Smith (9 catches, 130 yards, TD)
Defense
· Avonte Maddox (8 tackles, sack, 3 PD)
Prop Bets
As mentioned above, Cory has won nearly $32 off Eric over the past three seasons. Will Eric finally come out on top this year?
Here are our 10 prop bets in the order they were made on the show. As in the past, bets with even odds are worth $5 and we’ll include the potential winnings for both Cory and Eric based on the odds they get for each prop.
1. Will it take over (-135)/under (+105) 2 minutes 2 seconds for Chris Stapleton to sing the National Anthem?
We have to sit through the anthem every year, so putting money on it makes it somewhat bearable. Last year the O/U was set at just 1 minute 35 seconds, so it wasn’t shocking that with the first pick, Eric chose this prop and took the under. That said, the last male country artist to perform the Super Bowl National Anthem was Luke Bryan in 2017, and he took 2:04.
If Stapleton keeps it under 2:02, Eric stands to win $5.25. If he drags on, Cory will win $3.70.
2. Will any scoring drive take less time than the National Anthem? (-190 yes, +145 no)
With the second pick in our prop bet draft, Cory selected this prop and figures that at the end of one of the two halves, somebody will have an opportunity to get some quick points in a 2-minute drill. With explosive players on both teams, the door is also open for a one-play touchdown drive at some other random point during the game.
If any scoring drive does take less time off the clock than Stapleton’s rendition, Cory will win $2.63, otherwise Eric will net $7.25.
3. Will Chris Jones record a sack? (-125 yes, -105 no)
With his second selection Eric decided that, thanks to the Eagles strong offensive line, Chris Jones is not going to get to Jalen Hurts in this game. It certainly helps, too, that Hurts is such a mobile quarterback.
If Eric is right and the Eagles offensive line can keep Jones at bay, he’ll win $4.76. If that doesn’t play out and Jones is able to get home, Cory will win an even $4.
4. Will the first 3rd down conversion attempt by either team be successful? (+110 yes, -145 no)
As you can see, Cory doesn’t have any bets yet where he stands to earn more than Eric with a successful wager. He changed that here and went with the money by saying that the first third down attempt of the game will be successful.
If Cory is right, he’ll earn $5.50 while Eric stands to win $3.45 if the first third down try fails.
5. Will over (+135)/under (-165) 2.5 players attempt a pass?
In the past 10 Super Bowls, here is the list of non-starting quarterbacks to throw a pass in the Super Bowl:
Super Bowl XLVIII (2014) – Tarvaris Jackson (0/1)
Super Bowl LI (2017) – Julian Edelman (0/1)
Super Bowl LII (2018) – Trey Burton (1/1, 1 yard, 1 TD) & Danny Amendola (0/1)
Super Bowl LVI (2022) – Joe Mixon (1/1, 6 yards, 1 TD) & Cooper Kupp (0/1)
With the potential for trick plays, plus the possibility of an injury (Patrick Mahomes is already not at 100%), Eric decided to follow the money and take the over here.
If he’s right and Mahomes and Hurts aren’t the only players to attempt a pass on Sunday, Eric will win $6.75, otherwise Cory will earn $3.03.
6. Will the two teams combined for over (-140)/under (+110) 5.5 touchdowns?
While it doesn’t do much for him in the money department, Cory feels safe taking the over here. With two high-powered offenses and a mediocre defense on one side, he likes this to be a pretty high scoring game on paper.
If we see at least six touchdowns, Cory will win $3.57, but if that number isn’t met Eric will take home $5.50.
7. Will the two teams combined for over/under (EVEN) 5.5 sacks?
Even though he doesn’t expect Chris Jones to get in on the action here, Eric figures that with both defensive fronts being very successful getting to the quarterback (the Eagles led the NFL in sacks), the two teams will combine for at least six sacks.
If he’s right, he’ll win $5. If he’s wrong and these two very good offensive lines are effective against the pass rushes, Cory will instead win $5. A nice, clean, even-odds bet.
8. Will the first pass attempt by either quarterback be complete (-210) or incomplete (+175)?
Cory’s a little nervous about this one because both quarterbacks are very good, but four of the last ten Super Bowls have seen the first pass attempt fall incomplete and the last time it happened was just three years ago when Patrick Mahomes attempted the first pass.
Cory took the higher potential payout and if he’s right that the first pass will fail to find a receiver, he’ll win $8.75. If that first pass is completed, though, Eric will win $2.38.
9. Will the most combined points scored in a single quarter be over (-165)/under (+135) 20.5 points?
With his final selection in our prop bets, Eric decided to follow his gameplan and go with the potential payout. Three touchdowns in one quarter is a lot, though one could be on the first play of a quarter and that will be what Cory is hoping for.
If no quarter sees 21 or more points scores, Eric will win $6.75. If he’s wrong, Cory will take $3.03.
10. Will Jalen Hurts throw a touchdown pass in the 1st quarter? (+135 yes, -165 no)
To close things out, Cory also followed the money. The odds here probably should be much more heavily on the no. Jalen Hurts didn’t throw a single first-quarter touchdown pass before Philly’s Week 7 bye, then he threw three of them in the final eleven games and then one in their two playoff victories. That’s not a great rate.
But if Hurts does toss a touchdown in the opening frame on Sunday, Cory will win $6.75. Eric will win $3.03 if that doesn’t happen.
Totals
Adding up these prop bets, once again Eric has the higher potential winnings, though he has a larger margin than last season when a 10-0 record in his direction would have netted him $2.12 more than a 10-0 record for Cory.
This year, if Eric goes 10-0 he’ll come away with $50.12. A 10-0 record the other way will net Cory $43.91.
And now we’re all set for Super Bowl Sunday! Kick back and enjoy the game and then check back after to see the results of our prop bets and our final picks standings!
Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs – 24, Philadelphia Eagles – 20 (Taking KC +1.5)
Final Score: Philadelphia Eagles – 30, Kansas City Chiefs – 24 (Taking PHI -1.5)
After not purchasing Madden 22 and only getting Madden 23 about two weeks ago while I was out sick with Covid, I wasn’t sure I’d bring back my Madden prediction game, but as the week wore on leading into the Super Bowl, I figured why not?
· Jalen Hurts (27-38, 338 yards, 2 TD)
· Jalen Hurts (11 carries, 92 yards, 2 TD)
· DeVonta Smith (9 catches, 130 yards, TD)
· Avonte Maddox (8 tackles, sack, 3 PD)
As mentioned above, Cory has won nearly $32 off Eric over the past three seasons. Will Eric finally come out on top this year?
We have to sit through the anthem every year, so putting money on it makes it somewhat bearable. Last year the O/U was set at just 1 minute 35 seconds, so it wasn’t shocking that with the first pick, Eric chose this prop and took the under. That said, the last male country artist to perform the Super Bowl National Anthem was Luke Bryan in 2017, and he took 2:04.
With the second pick in our prop bet draft, Cory selected this prop and figures that at the end of one of the two halves, somebody will have an opportunity to get some quick points in a 2-minute drill. With explosive players on both teams, the door is also open for a one-play touchdown drive at some other random point during the game.
With his second selection Eric decided that, thanks to the Eagles strong offensive line, Chris Jones is not going to get to Jalen Hurts in this game. It certainly helps, too, that Hurts is such a mobile quarterback.
As you can see, Cory doesn’t have any bets yet where he stands to earn more than Eric with a successful wager. He changed that here and went with the money by saying that the first third down attempt of the game will be successful.
In the past 10 Super Bowls, here is the list of non-starting quarterbacks to throw a pass in the Super Bowl:
Super Bowl LI (2017) – Julian Edelman (0/1)
Super Bowl LII (2018) – Trey Burton (1/1, 1 yard, 1 TD) & Danny Amendola (0/1)
Super Bowl LVI (2022) – Joe Mixon (1/1, 6 yards, 1 TD) & Cooper Kupp (0/1)
While it doesn’t do much for him in the money department, Cory feels safe taking the over here. With two high-powered offenses and a mediocre defense on one side, he likes this to be a pretty high scoring game on paper.
Even though he doesn’t expect Chris Jones to get in on the action here, Eric figures that with both defensive fronts being very successful getting to the quarterback (the Eagles led the NFL in sacks), the two teams will combine for at least six sacks.
Cory’s a little nervous about this one because both quarterbacks are very good, but four of the last ten Super Bowls have seen the first pass attempt fall incomplete and the last time it happened was just three years ago when Patrick Mahomes attempted the first pass.
With his final selection in our prop bets, Eric decided to follow his gameplan and go with the potential payout. Three touchdowns in one quarter is a lot, though one could be on the first play of a quarter and that will be what Cory is hoping for.
To close things out, Cory also followed the money. The odds here probably should be much more heavily on the no. Jalen Hurts didn’t throw a single first-quarter touchdown pass before Philly’s Week 7 bye, then he threw three of them in the final eleven games and then one in their two playoff victories. That’s not a great rate.
Adding up these prop bets, once again Eric has the higher potential winnings, though he has a larger margin than last season when a 10-0 record in his direction would have netted him $2.12 more than a 10-0 record for Cory.
Results
Eric won the following props:
1. The National Anthem hit the under, barely, at 2:01 (O/U set at 2:02) - $5.25
3. Chris Jones did not record a sack - $4.76
8. The first pass of the game was complete - $2.38
10. Jalen Hurts did not throw a TD pass in the first quarter - $3.03
Cory won the following props:
2. The Eagles scored on a drive that took 1:22 at the end of the first half, shorter than the National Anthem (the Chiefs also recorded a 49-second TD drive in the fourth quarter) - $2.63
4. The first third down of the game resulted in a successful conversion by the Eagles - $5.50
5. The only players to attempt a pass were Hurts and Mahomes (O/U was set at 2.5 players) - $3.03
6. The Chiefs and Eagles combined for 9 TDs (O/U was set at 5.5) - $3.57
7. The Chiefs and Eagles combined for 2 sacks (O/U was set at 5.5) - $5.00
9. The Chiefs and Eagles combined for 24 points in the second quarter and 25 points in the fourth quarter (O/U for points in any one quarter was set at 20.5) - $3.03
After totaling their winnings, Cory comes out ahead by $7.34 bringing his all-time winnings in his and Eric's Super Bowl prop bets to $39.31.
SB LVII | Eric | Cory | Evan |
Points | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Record | 1-0 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Playoffs | Eric | Cory | Evan |
Points^ | 8 | 9 | 6 |
Record^ | 8-5 | 9-4 | 6-7 |
Season | Eric | Cory | Evan |
Points^ | 137 | 149 | 138 |
Record^ | 137-140-5 | 149-128-5 | 138-139-5 |
Lone Wolf | Eric | Cory | Evan |
Games | 30 | 40 | 50 |
Wins | 13 | 25 | 25 |
Congratulations to Andrew Perez, who has clinched our playoff fan contest with seven correct picks over the course of the postseason. Our season-long contest is still up for grabs as he and James Dailey are tied at 128 correct picks each across the regular and postseason. We’ll update that below at the conclusion of Super Bowl LVII.
P.S. Don’t forget to catch the latest episode of our podcast! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter so you never miss an announcement about when our next show will air. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon to be alerted when we go live. And catch every episode you miss live on your favorite podcast app; we’re on Apple, Amazon, Google, and Spotify!