Analytical Preview of Super Bowl LVIII
The latest newsletter from KCSN Sports Data Scientist, Joseph Hefner
The Kansas City Chiefs are 60 minutes from being the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Threepeat. The word that has been on the minds and lips of Chiefs players since the moment they won the Super Bowl last year. And now it’s here, within their grasp.
Threepeat.
No other team has ever even made a Super Bowl in the third year of a threepeat attempt. The Chiefs already stand alone as the best attempt ever. But no one on the team would ever be content with that. No, they want the full force of history. No diet record would satisfy them. The Eagles will be playing to avenge their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs two years ago. The Chiefs are reaching for glory.
Let’s get to the numbers.
The Chiefs are favored to win this game, though not by much. DraftKings odds give them a 53.2% pregame win probability, compared to a 46.8% win probability for the Eagles. That number might move as the game approaches, especially if the Eagles two offensive linemen who are injured (OG Landon Dickerson (knee) and OC Cam Jurgens (back)) are unable to play. The Eagles offensive line is one of their biggest strengths, and injuries there can have a big effect on their game.