Super Bowl LIV action report: Chiefs, over drawing bettors' attention

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For just the seventh time in Super Bowl history, the betting line is likely to close at shorter than three points. But don't mistake that for a lack of confidence in the favorite.

The Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5) have drawn nearly three times as much money as the San Francisco 49ers in the weeks leading up to Sunday's game, according to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader.

More bettors are riding the Niners (+105) on the moneyline, but Rood says his book is still taking twice as much Chiefs money overall. It's been a similar story at other bet shops, as public and big-money players alike are showing early interest in the betting favorite.

"I think it's got the opportunity to jump up to 2 or 2.5," Rood said. "I think you'll see enough support, especially if it comes in the ratio we've been seeing it."

That said, the line has been mostly static across the U.S., including at theScore Bet in New Jersey, where the spread hasn't moved since opening at 1.5. That might be due to bettors' relative unfamiliarity with these two clubs on this stage, or because there are compelling arguments to be made for both sides.

Sharp bettors have mostly stayed on the sidelines, likely waiting to see if early bettors push the line one way or the other. Rood says he took one five-figure bet on the Kansas City moneyline - an uncommon occurrence for a favorite in a title game - but it hasn't been enough to move the spread off the opening number.

"It's been one of the more static Super Bowls leading up to it," Rood said. "It's good not having to open yourselves up to be exposed to sides and middles. It's kind of nice for bookmakers to not have to worry about that."

They could still be sweating the over, though, which is by far the biggest decision on the game. The total opened as low as 52 at some books and 53.5 at theScore Bet, where it's up to 55 as of Friday - in part thanks to a five-figure wager on the over.

Even with a rising number on what's already one of the highest totals in Super Bowl history, the over has seen five times as much money as the under at theScore Bet and four times the tickets.

But most of the action is yet to come. Rood said the betting handle on Sunday's game had more than doubled since Thursday afternoon, with a heavy slant toward the Chiefs and the over.

In Rood's experience, 80-85% of the money comes between 6 p.m. ET on Friday and kickoff - with 50% coming in the final 24 hours.

"The activity level is really starting to amp up," he said.

Rood expects to see more play on the San Francisco moneyline as kickoff nears, which has been the "sharp" play at some other shops. The under could see its day, too - five of the last six totals over 50 went under - as sharp bettors wait to pounce on the best number.

Even if the current trends continue, books are likely to be well-positioned heading into Sunday thanks to a static early market and a lack of major liability. Well, except for the over.

"Every bookmaker in the country is going to be rooting for an extremely boring game with lots of punts," Rood said.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.