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Blake Schuster

Super Bowl 2023: Staff picks, best bets and the most fun props for Chiefs-Eagles

What more can we say about Super Bowl LVII?

The Chiefs and Eagles were undoubtedly two of the most dominant teams in the NFL all season. They deserve to play on this stage.

Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts are two of the most exciting quarterbacks around. Their respective supporting casts matchup exceptionally well. And the connections between the two teams run deep.

All that’s left to do is make your pick and cash the ticket.

The staff at For The Win just happens to have very different ideas on which bets you should place.

Here are our definitive picks.

Picks Against The Spread

Blake Schuster: Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5)

I don’t really think the spread is actually going to factor into the game on Sunday, but since the moneyline odds aren’t that much better I’ll take the extra 1.5-points to protect against a tight game. Mahomes & Co.

Cole Huff: Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)

The Eagles have been the best team in the NFL all throughout this season and I don’t see why that would change on Sunday. Incredible offense + incredible defense is an easy way to my wallet. I’ve got Jalen Hurts and the Eagles.

Robert Zeglinski: Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5)

The best quarterback in the game, Patrick Mahomes, is now healthy. The second-best pass rush in the game (by sacks) is firing on all cylinders. The Chiefs are poised to win this one going away.

Cory Woodroof: Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5)

It just feels like Patrick Mahomes will get his second ring this weekend. Kansas City’s offense going against Philadelphia’s defense feels like the wobbly board in the floor that tilts the game in the Chiefs’ favor. Could Andy Reid go out on top and retire after this game? It makes you wonder.

Caroline Darney: Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)

[extremely Eagles meme guy voice]: LISTEN. This Eagles team has been firing on all cylinders and have picked up emphatic victories throughout the postseason. I don’t think I’ll start doubting them now.

Charles Curtis: Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5)

It’s basically a pick ’em, and I can’t stop thinking about the Eagles’ pass rush. We’ve seen what happens when Mahomes is under pressure in a Super Bowl — miraculous sidearm throws as he’s falling aside — and as long as Jalen Hurts can use his legs to avoid the Chiefs’ counterparts one defense, I see Philly pulling this one off.

Prince Grimes: Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5)

I picked against both these teams in the conference championship round. But even with how dominant the Eagles were in their win over the Niners, I most regretted picking against the best quarterback in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes. I won’t be doing that again.

Point Total Over/Under

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Schuster: Over 50.5

Sure, life is too short to bet the under. But even if that weren’t the case I’d be rooting for a high-scoring game if that means Mahomes and Hurts are locked in a shootout.

Cole Huff: Under 50.5

Eh, playoff football gets weird. While Patrick Mahomes is as explosive as they come, it seems like the Chiefs’ scoring drives have taken a while these days to materialize. Big plays aren’t as easy to come by for them, and for the Eagles, they’ll work the clock as well. I’ll take the under.

Robert Zeglinski: Under 50.5

The Eagles have a great defense, but how the Chiefs have come together of late is being underrated. Kansas City’s defense, with Patrick Mahomes limping through January, is arguably the reason the Chiefs are even here. This will still be a fun one, but it won’t resemble a Big 12 game.

Cory Woodroof: Over 50.5

This feels like one of those games where the two best offenses in the NFL just throw haymakers for four quarters. Anything can happen in a Super Bowl, but this just feels right for a year with plenty of fireworks. Bet the over.

Caroline Darney: Over 50.5

This is more of a hopeful pick than anything else. Please, score lots.

Charles Curtis: Under 50.5

It’s the Super Bowl, the biggest stage. There’s a possibility two opposing pass rushes keep this one close. I think the under hits but not much much, a 25-22 type of game.

Prince Grimes: Under 50.5

I’m expecting a lot of running on the part of the Eagles, and a lot of ducking on the part of the Chiefs. Philly’s defense is legit and won’t make things easy for KC, and its run-heavy offense should help eat clock and keep the score down.

Super Bowl MVP

Blake Schuster: Patrick Mahomes (+130)

Only one player in Super Bowl history won MVP without winning the actual game. That was Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley in Super Bowl V. I don’t believe that will happen this year, so instead I’ll take the QB for the team I’m already convinced will win. 

Cole Huff: Jalen Hurts (+140)

Eagles win. Hurts gets the job done with his legs and his arm. Simple.

Robert Zeglinski: Patrick Mahomes (+130)

Need I repeat myself? Best player in the sport right now and one of the best of all time. Plus, he’s still thinking about that Super Bowl 55 loss. Oh yeah. He’s about to deliver a masterclass in quarterbacking on the biggest possible stage.

Cory Woodroof: Travis Kelce (+1200)

I’ll mix it up a little bit and pick a non-quarterback. Kelce is about to cap the best season of his career, and I’ll bet that he dominates Philly’s defense to the point of earning MVP honors with three touchdowns.

Caroline Darney: Jalen Hurts (+140)

If I’m riding with the Eagles, I don’t see how it happens without Hurts having a great game. As Cory said, it’s unusual for a non-quarterback to win, and I don’t have enough faith in any of the big position players for the Eagles to take it over Hurts.

Charles Curtis: Travis Kelce (+1200)

Listen, even if I think the Eagles are going to win, we’re talking about betting here. And when I see odds like that on a player who might catch like 12 footballs for 150 yards and three touchdowns, I will take them.

Prince Grimes: Patrick Mahomes (+130)

Mahomes is likely to be under fire all game. If he can find a way to navigate that to lead his team to a win — which I believe he will — he’ll be the most deserving of MVP.

Favorite Prop Bet

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Schuster: Travis Kelce Anytime TD (-130)

Oh, I’m sorry. Is this pick too boring for you? Tough break. Mahomes and Kelce are going to end up as one of the most dominant touchdown pass pairings in NFL history. Eat the juice, take the prop and feel good about collecting your win.

Cole Huff: Isiah Pacheco Over 15.5 Receiving Yards (-120)

I feel like this could get done on one screen pass, and for that reason, I like this bet. Good luck tackling Pacheco, by the way. That guy runs with cruel intentions.

Robert Zeglinski: Chris Jones, Over 0.5 sacks (-130)

This is an absolute lock. Jones is coming off a terrifying performance in the AFC title game, and the Eagles allowed 44 sacks this season (11th in the league). They’re gonna have to throw the ball to keep up with Mahomes, ensuring Jones will live in the backfield.

Caroline Darney: A.J. Brown, Over 71.5 yards (-120)

Sticking with my theme. Brown will have his hands full against the Chiefs’ secondary, but this feels extremely doable (especially if you believe that it’ll be high-scoring and that Hurts will play well, which I do).

Charles Curtis: Travis Kelce Anytime TD (-130)

What Blake said.

Prince Grimes: Travis Kelce Anytime TD (-130)

I’ve already shouted this from the rooftop of too many places not to say it again here. Who else is Mahomes throwing the ball to?

Favorite Novelty Bet

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Blake Schuster: Rihanna Last Song “This Is What You Came For” (+2000)

Because of all the party hits Rihanna could pull off on Sunday, this is one that requires zero guest appearances and still gets the people going.

Cole Huff: Chiefs will be the first team to use a coach’s challenge. (-120)

Completely random, but as I read this prop a visual of Andy Reid holding a red flag popped into my mind. So, we’ll go with that one.

Robert Zeglinski: Color of Gatorade Bath, Blue (+375)

I’m a sucker for this annual tradition, and as a noted purveyor of the tasty frosty blue, I know the winning coach’s outfit will be drenched in the most delicious flavor. How do I know this? Look, I just like the flavor, OK?

Caroline Darney: Color of Gatorade Bath, Orange (+325)

Going against my friend Robert here. I just have a feeling it’s orange.

Charles Curtis: Rihanna’s first song will be Don’t Stop the Music

Just feels like the perfect opener for a show that focuses on her catalogue.

Prince Grimes: Color of Gatorade Bath, Orange (+325)

That was the color the last time the Chiefs hoisted the Lombardi. Why switch it up now?

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