Super Bowl LV is upon us. The Chiefs and Buccaneers are the last teams standing, and ESPN betting analysts Doug Kezirian (1-2 last week, 23-36-3 overall), Joe Fortenbaugh (1-1, 38-59-1), Anita Marks (7-14, 128-144-2), Preston Johnson (0-0, 16-20), Mike Clay (4-0, 29-18-1), Tyler Fulghum (3-3, 70-96-3), sports betting deputy editor David Bearman (0-1, 35-26), Seth Walder (1-2, 54-33) of ESPN Analytics and Aaron Schatz (0-2, 44-53-2) of Football Outsiders are here to tell us what they like for the biggest betting day of the year.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Tuesday; picks on lines available at time of posting.
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Super Bowl LV best bets
Kansas City Chiefs (-3, 56.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
History of the spread
Underdogs have covered 12 of the last 20 Super Bowls, but favorites hold a 27-25-2 edge overall. The favored Patriots trailed 28-3 in Super Bowl LI but forced OT and then won -- and covered the 3-point spread -- on James White's TD on the first possession.
Chiefs -3
Kezirian: It's easy to make a case for each team, so I am excited to watch, and hopefully the Super Bowl will deliver. I am siding with the Chiefs because the offense is not something I want to fade. Obviously, the offensive line injuries concern me. The Tampa defense is also potent, ranking in the top five in both rush and pass defense. But, ultimately, if the Chiefs play remotely close to their best version, no one can hang with them. Tom Brady is a force, but I will take the Chiefs.
