Super Bowl 59 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles is fast approaching, bringing with it a plethora of betting opportunities, including wagers on the opening kickoff. One popular bet is whether the opening kickoff will result in a touchback. Current odds favor a touchback, with “Yes” at -245 and “No” at +186. This trend aligns with the 2024 NFL season, where 64.3% of all kickoffs were touchbacks, a slight decrease from 73% in 2023 but still the second-highest rate since 2000. The increase in touchbacks is partly due to rule changes that place the ball at the 30-yard line after a touchback, reducing the incentive for returners to risk a runback. Additionally, both teams’ kickers, Jake Elliott and Harrison Butker, ranked in the top 10 for kickoff touchback percentages this season. Given these factors, betting on the opening kickoff resulting in a touchback appears to be a prudent choice.

Another intriguing bet is whether any punt during the game will result in a touchback. FanDuel offers odds of +130 for this outcome. This wager depends on the game’s offensive dynamics; if both teams’ offenses perform well, the number of punts—and thus opportunities for touchbacks—may be limited. Notably, the Chiefs’ punter, Matt Araiza, and the Eagles’ punter, Braden Mann, lead the league in punting touchback percentages. This statistic suggests a higher likelihood of a punt resulting in a touchback during the game, making this bet an appealing option for those looking to capitalize on special teams’ performances.

In summary, considering the current NFL trends and the specific capabilities of the teams’ special teams units, betting on the opening kickoff to be a touchback and anticipating at least one punt touchback during Super Bowl 59 are both reasonable propositions.