The United States bets on Joe Burrow to return to the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals will meet in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday for the second straight season, but this time, the circumstances are a little different.
The Chiefs were favored by 7 points a year ago. This year, Kansas City opened as a small 3-point favorite, but the Chiefs have suddenly become underdogs at home at Arrowhead Stadium.
The line has moved dramatically since it opened on Sunday night, going from -3 to +1 and even +1.5 at some US sportsbooks.
That’s because 80 percent of public bets have been on the Bengals so far.
The Bengals are now FAVORITES by 1 point over the Chiefs in the AFC Championship pic.twitter.com/0tXAXU08rh
– BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) January 23, 2023
Public betting on Burrow, Bengals on the AFC Championship Game
It looks like Mahomes’ sprained high ankle in the Divisional Round has already started to move the betting lines in the AFC Championship Game.
According to major sports betting apps, the money has already started pouring into the Bengals.
In fact, 80 percent of public bets have already come to Cincinnati, which opened at +3 on some sportsbooks. That line has since been adjusted to -1 and as much as 1.5 in some places, an indication that the bookies aren’t willing to take too many risks on the Bengals’ second straight Super Bowl appearance.
With Mahomes banged up, the Chiefs could have something of value as a home underdog in a revenge game.
Remember, Joe Burrow and the Bengals defeated the Chiefs 27-24 in overtime last season to clinch a trip to the Super Bowl.
Mahomes dealing with a high ankle sprain
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Mahomes sprained his ankle on Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fortunately for the Chiefs, Mahomes was able to avoid further damage despite playing through the injury in the Divisional Round.
The star quarterback said he will play in the AFC Championship rematch against the Bengals on Sunday.
Typically, a high ankle sprain is an injury that requires 4-6 weeks of recovery time.
However, Mahomes plans to play through pain just a week after sustaining the injury.
The public is hoping the injury will slow down Mahomes, who is likely to bring home his second NFL MVP award this year.
Of course, the last time Mahomes won MVP, he led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years in 2019.
