The Chiefs will look to complete the coveted three-peat when they face off against the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Philadelphia has the revenge factor, however, after losing to Kansas City two seasons ago in Super Bowl LVII. As a sad Bills fan, this game is truly the battle of whatever versus who cares but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to take advantage of all of the new Super Bowl specials available on DraftKings Sportsbook.
I highly suggest heading to DraftKings Sportsbook and checking out the long list of specials available for Super Bowl LIX. For now, we’re focused on which player will be the fastest ball carrier. Here is a list of the top options and their odds:
- Saquon Barkley (+225)
- Xavier Worthy (+250)
- Jalen Hurts (+300)
- DeVonta Smith (+1100)
- A.J. Brown (+1100)
- Marquise Brown (+1100)
This feels pretty simple––will it be Saquon Barkley or Xavier Worthy? Let’s break it all down with the assistance of Next Gen Stats.
The Breakdown
Saquon Barkley
Top Speed: 21.93 MPH (fourth-highest mark in the NFL this season including playoffs)
Saquon Barkley is no stranger to big plays that showcase his breakaway speed. In fact, Barkley reached 20 MPH 11 times in the regular season and three times already this postseason. He reached 21 MPH on five of those runs and holds the fourth and fifth-highest top speeds recorded by a ball carrier this season. The NFL’s leading rusher ranked first in both yards before contact and 40+ yard runs and second in both yards after contact and 20+ yard runs.
The bad news is that the Chiefs match up quite well with the Eagles. Kansas City ranks ninth in yards before contact and sixth in yards after contact. The Chiefs have also allowed just eight 20+ yard runs and one 40+ yard run this season. Still, James Cook gashed the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, so there’s no reason to assume Barkley won’t do the same.
Xavier Worthy
Top Speed: 21.46 MPH (14th-highest mark in the NFL this season including playoffs)
Xavier Worthy was drafted because of his speed. The rookie wideout hasn’t received many opportunities to rack up consistent top speeds due to Kansas City’s methodical approach on offense but he has still reached 20+ MPH twice and holds the 14th-highest speed this season. His top speed of 21.46 MPH came on a 54-yard bomb in Week 4 but his rushing ability offers some extra upside, too. Worthy ranked third in wide receiver carries and totaled three touchdowns and a 65% success rate. The Eagles have faced just eight wide receiver carries but have allowed a touchdown and two 10+ yard runs. There isn’t much data to work with and the limited data is gross as it is. But come on, we’re betting on the fastest ball carrier, anyway. We are both degenerates and need will take any kind of justification we can get for placing this bet.
The Pick: Saquon Barkley (+225)
It is as simple as not avoiding the hot hand. Barkley has torched every defense he has faced in the postseason and James Cook’s performance last week suggests that the Chiefs are susceptible to chunk plays. He was the NFL’s leading rusher and holds significantly more top-speed plays than any other player.
