Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt is the man credited with coining the name Super Bowl. He came up with the idea while watching his children play with an bouncy rubber toy known as a Super Ball, which was popular in the 1960s. If you’re looking to determine who first made the Super Bowl a must-see Super event, then that title belongs to Joe Namath. The brash New York Jets quarterback guaranteed his Jets, an 18-point underdog, would beat the mighty 15-1 Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III and delivered on that promise.
That was the AFL’s its first Super Bowl triumph.
The NFL’s Green Bay Packers had posted one-sided wins in the first two Super Bowls, but the victory by the Jets gave the AFL instant credibility in the eyes of the football public and made those savvy enough to listen to Namath a nice chunk of change.
Considering the hype, the passion and the national obessession that Super Bowl Sunday has grown into in North America, it’s difficult to fathom that there were about 30,000 empty seats at the first one back in 1967, as the NFL’s Green Bay Packers throttled the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. The Super Bowl evolved from a 1966 merger agreement between the two leagues. Since there were exisiting television contracts in place for both the AFL and NFL through the end of the 1969 season.
A complete usurping of the AFL under the NFL umbrella could not take place until the start of the 1970 season.
It was decided, though, to implement a title showdown game between the two leagues immediately. The first game took place Jan. 15, 1967 before 61,946 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Best Super Bowl Betting Lines
We provide the best Super Bowl betting lines below so keep your eye on them and find the game that is most appealing. Don’t forget to take into account the variety of betting types.
What Is The NFL Super Bowl Match Up
You can follow the NFL playoff standings leading up to the Super Bowl game right here, and if you are wondering how much emphasis you should place on the postseason seedings in both the NFC and AFC, the answer is plenty.
How To Win At NFL Super Bowl Bets
As a Super Bowl prop bet, Kenneth Gainwell would have brought a handsome return to anyone who wagered on him to score the first touchdown of Super Bowl 58.
The young Philadelphia Eagles running back was overlooked by many sportsbooks heading into the big game, with most of the attention on star players like Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. But Gainwell took advantage of a key moment in the first quarter, rushing in for a 12-yard touchdown to give the Eagles an early lead—making him a winning prop bet for those who believed in his breakout performance.
Super Bowl Prop Bets
Prop bets are part of the fun and the lure of the Super Bowl. You don't need to be a passionate football fan to take a guess at who might score the first touchdown, or whether the first score of the game will be a TD, a field goal, or, as was the case in Super Bowl 57, a rushing touchdown by Jalen Hurts to open the scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs.
You don't even have to bet on football to bet on the Super Bowl. You can wager on who will headline the halftime show (for Super Bowl 58, it’s Usher), whether the coin toss will come up heads or tails, or the over/under on the length of the National Anthem. What color of Gatorade will be dumped over the winning coach's head at the conclusion of the game? It's been orange in four of the last seven Super Bowls.
The prop bet's origins are traced back to Super Bowl XX, when Chicago Bears defensive tackle and pop culture icon William (The Refrigerator) Perry was being deployed as a short-yardage running back by Bears coach Mike Ditka. The wager was whether Perry would score a Super Bowl touchdown (he did).
Super Bowl 58 Over/Under Total
The over/under for Super Bowl 58 is set at an all-time high of 59.5 points. But all signs point towards these dynamic offenses going over 60 points. The game, played indoors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, is ideal for scoring. Both teams—the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs—are known for their explosive offenses, which makes this over/under line one of the most intriguing in recent history.
Three of the last four Super Bowl encounters have gone over, and the majority of bets are favoring the over for Super Bowl 58, despite the high bar set by bookmakers.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Dominance and Defensive Strength
The Chiefs scored 28.4 points per game during the regular season, led by the dynamic connection between Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Their offensive firepower was on full display throughout the playoffs, and they’ll be looking to add another Super Bowl title to their recent run of success.
On the other hand, the Chiefs' defense, often overshadowed by their offense, has been a key factor in their success this season, allowing only 19.4 points per game, ranking among the top defenses in the league.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Balance and Recent Momentum
The Eagles bring a balanced approach to the table, with Jalen Hurts leading a multi-faceted offense that includes big-play threats like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. During the regular season, they scored 29.1 points per game, making them one of the highest-scoring teams in the league.
Their defense has been solid as well, particularly during key stretches of the playoffs. While they allowed an average of 20.3 points per game during the regular season, they’ve tightened up when it matters most, shutting down elite offenses en route to Super Bowl 58.
Underdogs Continue to Thrive
Underdogs have thrived in recent Super Bowls. Over the last eight games, underdogs have won six times, including last year when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the favored Philadelphia Eagles. Super Bowl bettors often find value in underdog lines, as they’ve consistently delivered surprises on the biggest stage.
With odds relatively close between the Eagles and Chiefs, many bettors are eyeing potential upsets once again for Super Bowl 58, continuing a trend that has made the Super Bowl one of the most exciting events for sports betting.
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