It’s wild to think that Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt started the season as a free agent. Now, he’s the lead back heading into another Super Bowl appearance with the franchise that drafted him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Andy Reid’s squad brought Hunt back into the fold following the Week 2 injury to starter Isiah Pacheco, who missed multiple months with a fractured fibula. Although Pacheco has since returned to the lineup, Hunt has maintained his role as the featured back after rushing for 728 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games.
The 29-year-old has added 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns to that total this postseason and will likely play a pivotal role against the Eagles in Super Bowl 59. Let’s check out some of my favorite Kareem Hunt props for Sunday’s showcase in New Orleans.
All NFL odds used for these Kareem Hunt prop bets are current as of Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Kareem Hunt 1Q Rushing Yards Prop
Kareem Hunt: Over 8.5 1Q Rushing Yards (-115)
This first-quarter rushing yards prop feels way too low.
Hunt rushed four times for 34 yards in the opening frame of the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo, and two of those carries would’ve cashed this prop single-handedly.
In 13 regular-season games, Hunt saw 49 first-quarter carries for 165 yards, good for an average of 12.7 per game. And while Isiah Pacheco wasn’t healthy for a significant portion of that time, his role isn’t a significant threat to Hunt’s workload.
- Bet the other half of Kansas City’s backfield with our Isiah Pacheco Super Bowl props.
Hunt has been Kansas City’s most efficient back, averaging 4.3 yards per carry in the postseason, so he may only need two carries in the opening quarter to cash this prop. He should get some looks early, especially with the Philadelphia defense focused on slowing down quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Brian Robinson Jr. (15), Kyren Williams (32), and Josh Jacobs (14) all cashed this prop against Philadelphia in the postseason, and Hunt should follow suit.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Kareem Hunt Touchdown Prop
Kareem Hunt: Anytime Touchdown (+140)
This anytime touchdown wager has more value than most Super Bowl prop bets.
Hunt has found the end zone in each of his previous four games, including playoff matchups against Houston and Buffalo. Given his success from in close, Andy Reid is likely to continue to entrust him with the goal-line work.
- Get ready for Chiefs vs Eagles with our Super Bowl 59 predictions.
Sunday’s showcase will be Hunt’s first Super Bowl appearance, but he is no stranger to scoring in the postseason. In fact, he has recorded at least one touchdown in all six of his career playoff games.
It’s rare to be able to wager on a lead running back finding paydirt at plus-money odds, especially when he plays for a team favored in a game with a relatively high total. I love Hunt to find the end zone on Sunday as one of my best NFL bets today.
