Football

From betting on the Super Bowl winner to whether Travis Kelce will propose to Taylor Swift, this year’s Super Bowl wagers are set to break records. With just two days left until Super Bowl LIX kicks off, betting houses are more active than ever, offering odds on everything from the most common bets—such as whether the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will win—to the most extravagant, like whether Chiefs player Travis Kelce will propose to his partner, singer Taylor Swift, at some point during the game. The Common Super Bowl Bets Among the traditional game-related bets, the most popular remains predicting the Super Bowl winner. Additionally, fans can wager on the total points scored by both teams and on individual player performances. The Strangest Super Bowl Bets Moving beyond the field, there are bets that have nothing to do with football itself. One of the least unusual in this category is the annual tradition of betting on the color of the Gatorade that will be poured over the winning coach. However, the bet that is drawing the most attention involves none other than Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. According to the betting platform “Caliente,” the odds of Kelce proposing to Swift during the Super Bowl are set at +425 for “yes” and -834 for “no.” Additionally, there is a separate bet on whether any player will propose with an engagement ring during the game. Sticking with the entertainment side, the Halftime Show also has its own set of wagers. This year, Kendrick Lamar will headline the show, and fans can place bets on which song he will perform first and the overall setlist for the performance. You may be interested in: Josh Allen Named NFL MVP Record-Breaking Super Bowl LIX Betting With all these betting opportunities, it’s clear that Super Bowl fever is at an all-time high. In fact, the American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that in the U.S. alone, a record-breaking $23.1 billion could be wagered, surpassing last year’s figures. Cover photo: X (@Chiefs)

Josh Allen was named NFL MVP after an outstanding season with the Bills. Saquon Barkley, Jayden Daniels, and Joe Burrow were also awarded. Allen Ends a Great Season as MVP With the 2024-25 NFL season coming to an end, the NFL Honors were held to recognize the best performances of the year. As expected, Josh Allen was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), surpassing contenders like Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley. Although the Bills’ quarterback saw his season cut short in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, this did not prevent him from receiving the award for the best player of the season. With 3,731 passing yards, 531 rushing yards, 28 touchdown passes, and 12 rushing touchdowns, Allen secured the prestigious recognition. When stepping onto the stage, Allen thanked God, his fellow nominees, the Bills, and his teammates, stating that while this is an individual award, he owes it to everyone on his team. Josh Allen became the first Bills player to be named MVP since Thurman Thomas won it in 1991. Saquon, Burrow, and Daniels Also Honored Despite Allen winning MVP, that did not stop Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley from being recognized for his incredible season. The player, who will compete in the Super Bowl this Sunday, was named Offensive Player of the Year. Likewise, Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In his first season with the Commanders, Daniels led the team to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. Additionally, Joe Burrow was honored with the Comeback Player of the Year award. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback suffered a wrist injury in 2023, but in 2024, he returned to the field with an impressive performance despite the setback. Cover photo: X (@NFL)

With just over a week until Super Bowl LIX, the celebrations are already in full swing. The Pro Bowl Games 2025 have kicked off at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, where the best players from the AFC and NFC will compete in various skill challenges and events, culminating in a flag football game on Sunday, February 2. While the Pro Bowl was once a traditional football matchup between conferences, last year’s format change turned it into a flag football showdown, emphasizing skill-based challenges to entertain both players and fans alike. The NFC Takes the Early Lead On the first day of action, the NFC dominated, scoring 14 points compared to 7 for the AFC. The National Conference secured: +3 points in the Passing Challenge +3 points in Helmet Harmony, a trivia test on team knowledge +2 points in a relay race, where the football was passed between players +3 points in Satisfying Catches, an obstacle-course-based catch competition +3 points in Dodgeball, the classic elimination game Meanwhile, the AFC managed to score: +3 points in The Big Spike, a contest measuring how hard players could spike the ball +1 point in the relay race +3 points in Dodgeball The festivities will continue throughout the week, leading up to the main event on February 2. Cover photo: X (@Bengals)

The Kansas City Chiefs are one step away from making NFL history after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of greatness, as the reigning back-to-back NFL champions edged out the Buffalo Bills in a nail-biting game decided by a field goal. With this victory, the Chiefs advance to Super Bowl LIX, where they aim to become the first team in history to achieve a three-peat. Chiefs Triumph Over the Bills Once Again From start to finish at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the top two teams in the AFC battled in a neck-and-neck contest. The Chiefs struck first with a touchdown in the opening quarter, while the Bills responded with a field goal. In the second quarter, the Bills temporarily seized the lead with a touchdown, but the Chiefs answered back with two touchdowns to reclaim their advantage. The Bills narrowed the gap with another touchdown but missed a crucial two-point conversion, leaving the score 21-16 at halftime. As the game resumed in the third quarter, the Bills once again took the lead with another touchdown, but they faltered on a two-point conversion attempt, setting the score at a tight 21-22 heading into the final quarter. The last 15 minutes were a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. The Chiefs regained the lead with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, only for the Bills to tie the game at 29-29 with another touchdown. Ultimately, the Chiefs’ defense held firm against a late Bills drive, allowing Kansas City to drain the clock and secure the win with a field goal, closing the game at 32-29. This victory marks the Chiefs’ fourth playoff win over the Bills in recent years. A Super Bowl Showdown Awaits The Kansas City Chiefs now prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, as they chase their historic third consecutive NFL championship.

With a stunning record-breaking performance, the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Washington Commanders to secure their spot in their fifth Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles soared straight into the Super Bowl after dismantling the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. Now, they aim to claim their second Super Bowl title in the event’s 59th edition, marking their fifth appearance in the battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. A Record-Breaking Rout in Philadelphia The second seed in the NFC left nothing to chance at Lincoln Financial Field, delivering a relentless offensive performance that extinguished any hopes the Commanders had of pulling off an upset. With Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley in unstoppable form, the Eagles demolished the Commanders 55-23, setting a new record for points scored in any Divisional Championship Game. In the first quarter, the home team surged ahead with 14 points to the Commanders’ 3. By the second quarter, the Eagles extended their lead to 27-15. After halftime, the Eagles added just one more touchdown, while Washington managed to narrow the gap with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, bringing the score to 34-23 and keeping a glimmer of hope alive. However, the visitors’ dreams were crushed in the final quarter. Philadelphia’s strong defense and relentless offense added three more touchdowns while holding the Commanders scoreless in the last 15 minutes, ending the game with a decisive 55-23 victory. Eagles Seek Revenge Against Chiefs This year’s Super Bowl will be a rematch of the showdown from two years ago when the Eagles reached Super Bowl LVII but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs in a dramatic 35-38 loss. Philadelphia now seeks redemption for that 2023 defeat as they face the Chiefs again on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Two familiar foes from past playoff battles are set to clash once again. The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will face off to determine the AFC champion. This evening is no ordinary one, as the AFC Championship Game brings one of the most anticipated matchups since the start of the season. The top two teams in the American Football Conference, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, will battle it out to decide the conference champion and the final participant in Super Bowl LIX. Chiefs Seek a Three-Peat The Kansas City Chiefs are undoubtedly the team to beat, entering this AFC Championship as the top seed with an incredible 15-2 record. They secured their spot in this game by defeating the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. The Chiefs are on a mission to claim their third consecutive AFC Championship and continue their quest for the ultimate prize: a Super Bowl three-peat. Bills Aim for Their First Super Bowl Appearance Since 1994 On the other side, the Buffalo Bills are determined to turn their impressive 13-4 season into their first AFC Championship since 1994. That year marked their last Super Bowl appearance, where they fell to the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, the Bills have been unable to return to the NFL’s grandest stage. In recent years, they’ve come close, only to fall short in the playoffs. They were eliminated in the Divisional Round in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and lost the AFC Championship in 2021. Adding to the drama, their 2022, 2024, and 2021 losses all came at the hands of Kansas City, giving the Bills extra motivation to settle the score today. Despite the Bills’ tough postseason history, the two teams have evenly split their last 10 matchups with five wins each. Most recently, Buffalo defeated Kansas City 30-21 on November 17, 2024. Game Time and Venue This must-watch game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Central Time at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two familiar foes from the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders, will face off to determine the National Football Conference champion. The long-awaited day has arrived. This Sunday, January 26, the NFL will crown its divisional champions, starting with the NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. As division rivals in the NFC East, these teams know each other well, promising a thrilling and hard-fought battle. Eagles Enter as the Favorites The numbers and statistics from this season favor the Eagles, who secured their spot in the NFC Championship as the second seed with an impressive 14-3 regular-season record. In the Wild Card Round, Philadelphia easily defeated the Green Bay Packers before eliminating the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. Now, the Eagles stand just one win away from a chance to claim their second Super Bowl ring. Commanders Seek to Recapture 1991 Glory The Commanders, on the other hand, are the surprise team of the NFC Championship. With a 12-5 regular-season record, they entered the playoffs as the sixth seed. In the Wild Card Round, Washington overcame the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and in the Divisional Round, they shocked the NFL by defeating the top-seeded Detroit Lions, who were considered strong Super Bowl contenders. Now labeled the “dark horse,” the Commanders aim to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1991, the year they last claimed the Vince Lombardi Trophy. At that time, the franchise was still known as the “Redskins.” As division rivals in the NFC East, these two teams have a long history of matchups, although playoff encounters are rare. The last postseason meeting was in the 1991 Wild Card Round, where Washington triumphed 20-6 on their way to winning the NFL championship that same year. Game Time and Venue The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:00 p.m. Central Time at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The San Francisco 49ers have rehired Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator after a 16-day search. Saleh, who previously held this position with the Niners from 2017 to 2020, rejoins the team after serving as head coach of the New York Jets and recently working as a consultant for the Green Bay Packers. The decision comes following the departure of Nick Sorensen, with head coach Kyle Shanahan seeking an experienced leader capable of adapting to challenges. While Saleh interviewed with other teams, he ultimately chose to reunite with the 49ers, where he previously led one of the NFL’s top defenses.   You may also like: The Jets have chosen Darren Mougey as their new general manager   Cover Image: 49ers.com