Most of the memorable plays in Super Bowl history happened on either offense or defense, but on occasion, special teams units come through to make a big play. The blocked punt is one of the rarest in the NFL, with just 12 during the regular season, but it’s also one of the most exciting and potentially game-changing.
There have only been seven blocks in Super Bowl history, the most recent coming during Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, when Oakland Raiders linebacker Tim Johnson blocked Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Tom Tupa’s punt, resulting in a Raiders touchdown. It also happened in three consecutive years, in Super Bowls IX, X, and XI, and the Raiders also blocked two punts against Washington in the first quarter of Super Bowl XVIII before blocking an extra point attempt later in the game. Although the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs have never blocked a punt during the Super Bowl, they did block San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody’s extra point attempt during Super Bowl LVIII before ultimately winning in overtime.
DraftKings Sportsbook is offering odds on a punt to be blocked during Super Bowl LIX on Sunday between Kansas City and the Philadelphia Eagles (+1800).
Bet on Super Bowl LIX special prop bets at DraftKings Sportsbook, including Will There Be a Blocked Punt?, here.
Obviously, there’s a reason why there hasn’t been a blocked punt in 22 years — it’s extremely hard to do. The odds are so long because it is almost certain not to happen.
Still, if there’s any game in which a blocked punt is likely to occur, it might be this one. While both rosters are star-studded at pretty much every position, the Eagles’ Braden Mann is just Pro Football Focus’ 24th-graded punter, and he is one of just 10 punters to have been blocked this season. Plus, while the Chiefs’ Matt Araiza — the self-proclaimed “Punt God” — hasn’t been blocked this season, PFF considers him just the 32nd-best punter in the league.
Kansas City does have two of the league’s best special teams players — Leo Chenal, who got to Moody’s punt in Super Bowl LVIII, and Cam Jones — so if Philadelphia’s line can’t hold up, Mann might be susceptible to being blocked.
