Chiefs vs. Buccaneers: The best first half props for Super Bowl LV

One of the more underrated ways to bet on sports – particularly football – is to bet the first half lines. First half trends are readily accessible online, but not always taken advantage of by the betting public.

Here are three wagers we recommend making in the first half market for Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

First half moneyline (3-way)

Not only did the Chiefs have one of the best offenses in the NFL this season (29.6 points per game, fifth in the league), they also had one of the best first half offenses in football.

Patrick Mahomes and company accumulated 15.7 points per first half in the regular season, the third-best mark in the NFL. Their defense allowed only 11.2 first half points per game in 2020, tied for the eighth-best mark in that category.

Their first half prowess has been on full display this postseason, as they carried a 19-3 lead into the locker room in the Divisional Round against the Cleveland Browns. The Chiefs followed that up nicely in the AFC Championship Game, as they beat the Buffalo Bills 21-12 in the first two quarters of play.

Don’t worry about a potential draw here, just take the Chiefs at a bargain price on the moneyline, as it doesn’t look like Tom Brady’s troops will be able to keep up.

NFL pick: Chiefs (-134)

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Total points by Chiefs (first half)

We know what the Chiefs can do offensively, and it doesn’t seem like the Bucs will be able to stop them. This game projects to be fairly high-scoring, so bettors shouldn’t think twice about taking the Chiefs to eclipse 14 points in the first half.

Tampa’s stoppers have allowed 13 points per first half this season, 21st in the league. That includes their matchup with Kansas City in Week 12, when Andy Reid’s squad took a 20-7 lead into the locker room at Raymond James Stadium, site of Super Bowl LV.

NFL pick: Over 14.5 points (-112)

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Total Touchdowns by Chiefs (first half)

The reasoning for this bet follows the logic of the one right above it. This one might be a little easier to hit, but at a significantly-reduced price. Therefore, we’ll relegate it to “saver” status.

Kansas City’s offense was a modest 12th in red zone TD scoring percentage, but that may be due in part to the sheer number of trips they’ve made inside opponent 20-yard lines this year. The Bucs were just 19th in opponent TD conversion rate in the red zone this season.

NFL pick: Chiefs Over 1.5 touchdowns (-165)