Super Bowl 59 props: 3 Big Ten player predictions

Super Bowl 59 is here as we get set for another installment of the big game! And like any other Super Bowl, the player prop options are unlimited and full of intriguing options.

In this year’s game, Saquon Barkley will headline the contingent of former Big Ten players as one of the top performers in the game. However, he is far from the only B1G star ready to suit up, including some potential difference-makers on the defensive side of the ball.

With that in mind, let’s take a stab at 3 player props to consider for this year’s Super Bowl:

Saquon Barkley OVER 124.5 rushing yards (+135 via ESPN BET)

Barkley figures to be a popular play in props this weekend as he wraps up a historic season. His rushing total for the game is of particular interest, but finding the right number will be the challenge.

Barkley to record 100+ rushing yards is now -200 at ESPN BET which is a decent play. But if you are heading into Super Bowl Sunday expecting Barkley will get his 100-yard game, the other options bear some serious consideration.

Anything can happen once kickoff arrives, especially against a stingy Kansas City defense, but expecting the Eagles to get their money’s worth from Barkley should give the former Penn State star a great shot at 100 yards.

So, what will it take for Barkley to get past the 124.5 number? He has only eclipsed that number once in the postseason but has 7 games this season north of that number, though none of those defenses met the caliber of the Chiefs.

The pick here boils down to the better value in play, at least for those who are already rolling with Barkley to get to at least 100 yards. (Barkley coming in under 124.5 yards is -170 at ESPN BET).

George Karlaftis OVER 0.5 sacks (+115 via ESPN BET)

George Karlaftis has turned into a dependable pass rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs in his 3rd NFL season since leaving Purdue. After tying for the team lead with 10.5 sacks last season, Karlaftis led the team with 8 sacks in the 2024 regular season.

Karlaftis has also been able to elevate his game during the postseason. He had 3 sacks throughout last year’s Super Bowl run, including half a sack vs. the San Francisco 49ers, and he already racked up 3 sacks in the playoff game against the Houston Texans this postseason.

Sack totals are admittedly a tricky bet, but the Chiefs have the other pieces to make this one work. Stalwart Chris Jones consistently demands a double team — on the interior or on the edge — and fellow defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton had 6.5 sacks for the Chiefs this season.

Karlaftis should get some 1-on-1 opportunities to rush the passer, and the Eagles were middle-of-the-road (13th in the NFL) in allowing 45 sacks this season.

As long as the Chiefs stop Barkley a few times early on, there’s enough value here to take Karlaftis getting a sack.

RELATED: Best Saquon Barkley props and picks for Super Bowl 59

Saquon Barkley & Kareem Hunt Each to Record 25+ Rushing Yards in Each Half (+600 via ESPN BET)

Barkley will be one of the best players on the field Sunday night and far and away the best running back in action. But because of that, finding decent value in some of Barkley’s picks is tough.

By combining Kareem Hunt into this pick, bettors can boost the value in a serious way. After all, even if Barkley struggles, it seems like a slam dunk that Barkley will reach at least 25 yards in each half, and there are some reasons to believe Hunt will be relied on a bit more by the Chiefs.

Neither aspect of Philadelphia’s defense is bad by any means, but the Eagles led the NFL in the regular season in passing yards allowed while finishing 10th in rushing yards allowed. Translation? Kansas City is going to need its ground game.

If you believe this game will be a back-and-forth affair without either team pulling away, Hunt (and Barkley) should have plenty of carries to get there.