The Conference Championship games came and went as the sportsbooks predicted with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers winning the AFC and NFC respectively and sealing their place in Miami's showpiece game in the process.
Now all that's left is to get our bets on before the lines begin to move and the odds begin to crash.
San Francisco 49ers @ Kansas City Chiefs | 6:30 pm EST
BET OF THE GAME
3u – San Francisco 49ers +1.5 @ -107
The Chiefs are favorites for good reason. Their offense has been electric and Mahomes has fully refound fitness after his mid-season injury woes. Andy Reid has supplied Mahomes with an incredible supporting cast, one of the best tightends in the league and a track team of wideouts. The Kansas City Chiefs have the best offense in the National Football League.
However, as the legendary Paul Bryant said "Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships.” The fact is that there is no defense in the league that can compare with the Niners. The front office in San Francisco has built a defense that can strangle any offense and they'll do that to the Chiefs. Richard Sherman is the face of the DB corp but the defensive backs have been in great form all year long, helped hugely by the pressure that the defensive front manage to apply.
All the money will be on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, and neutrals will no doubt be supporting gunslinger Mahomes, but the reality is that defensive teams fare better in these games. So be smart and take the Niners and the points.
2u – Raheem Mostert - Anytime TD Scorer @ -120
- Mostert scored 4 touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers
- Mostert has 12 touchdowns in his past 8 games
Raheem Mostert has been a revelation this season. He'd been in the league, passing between teams for some time but has found a home in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Tevin Coleman left Sunday's game against the Packers with injury which you'd imagine will keep him out of the Super Bowl. With no Coleman to compete with then Mostert, even at -120, is a real steal. The running game is key to the Niners identity so back Mostert.
LONG SHOT BET
1u – Nick Bosa To Win Super Bowl MVP @ +4000
- Bosa has had 12 sacks this season including 3 in the postseason
If I'm backing the Niners then it already slims down who can win this award. We all know that it's usually a QB that wins this award, however Jimmy Garoppolo only threw 8 times against the Packers, such was the San Francisco's reliance on the run. If the game script remotely mirrors that then it would be very hard to crown him the MVP for doing very little besides handoffs.
The reality is that for the 49ers to win it's key that the defense is in imperious form. Who better to take advantage than Nick Bosa. The defensive lineman has been incredible in his rookie season and has the ability to pressure Mahomes into mistakes. If the Niners win it'll be down to a stout defense, of which Bosa is surely the man most likely to excel. It's a long shot but it's a wager worth taking.
When is Super Bowl Sunday 2020?
Super Bowl LIV kicks off at 6:30 pm ET on Sunday, February 2 2020.
Where will the game be played?
The Miami Dolphin's Hard Rock Stadium will host Super Bowl 54. The last Super Bowl to be played in Miami was the New Orleans Saints versus the Indianapolis Colts in 2010, which the Saints won.
Where can I watch the 2020 Super Bowl?
Fox are televising Super Bowl LIV. You can keep up to date with the game on our Twitter feed too.
Who is playing the Super Bowl 54 halftime show?
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are headlining the Super Bowl LIV Pepsi Max halftime show.
Who will sing the anthem at Super Bowl LIV?
The anthem will be sung by Demi Lovato before the kick off of the 2020 Super Bowl.
Follow handicapper Sam Farley on Twitter.