We’re just a few days away from Super Bowl LIX, and the anticipation couldn’t be any higher. Will the Chiefs complete the unthinkable, an NFL three-peat? Can the Eagles exact revenge on the same team that beat them on this stage two years prior? All those questions, and many more, will be answered on Sunday.
In a high-profile matchup of this magnitude, getting out to an early lead is crucial. That’s what makes halftime scores such a unique game prop for bettors. Even if you don’t have a strong lean on who will win the game, there’s plenty of data to support which team will lead, and by how much, after 30 minutes.
Before the Big Game kicks off this weekend, head over to DraftKings Sportsbook to get in on the action. Make sure to follow the DK Network betting group to get my picks for the Super Bowl and more!
What will be the halftime score for Super Bowl LIX?
As anyone who follows the NFL can tell you, this is a battle between the best of the best. Both teams have excelled at nearly every statistical category this season. That includes scoring, and preventing, points in the first half. Philadelphia ranks eighth in first half points and third in first half points allowed. The Eagles have been especially stingy lately, holding opponents to 5.8 points per game over their last five outings. Only five squads have managed to score more than ten points against the Birds before halftime.
On the other side, Kansas City has scored the tenth-most first half points while allowing the seventh-fewest. This correlates with what we’ve seen from the Chiefs all season: a gritty team willing to ‘play ugly.’ Patrick Mahomes and company are dangerous at any point in the game, but this offense has opted for more methodical, time-consuming drives. Philadelphia has one of the best defenses in football, allowing the fifth-lowest touchdown percentage in the red zone (48.28%). Forcing KC into a few early field goal attempts could make all the difference in this game prop.
Philadelphia’s offense operates in a similar manner, with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley churning out rushing yards at will. The difference is that the latter of the two is a walking big play threat. Don’t anticipate an eye-popping yardage total from Barkley, but he’s going to break free on a few carries. Still, I expect Kansas City’s ninth-ranked run defense to hold their own in this matchup.
There’s an abundance of star power on these rosters, making it difficult to fade either offense in this contest. However, that doesn’t mean we should ignore the two defenses taking the field. Past precedent can also help us: the Chiefs have never led at half in a Super Bowl during the Mahomes era. Assuming that trend continues, SB LIX likely remains a one-score game. This won’t be a total slugfest, but both teams will have some struggles in the red zone. Expect a nail biter before Kendrick Lamar takes the stage at the Super Dome.
Prediction: Eagles 13, Chiefs 10 (+4000)
