The Kansas City Chiefs do not possess the same high-octane offense that they have had in previous years. Throughout the season, they have faced difficulties with their receiving unit, resulting in a lack of impressive statistics in 2023. However, despite these challenges, they have managed to make it back to the Super Bowl, and a significant portion of their recent success can be attributed to tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce, although not performing up to his usual standards, has been instrumental in Kansas City’s current postseason run. He had a subpar year, finishing with less than 1,000 yards for the first time since 2015 and scoring seven fewer touchdowns than the previous season.
Nonetheless, he has regained his productivity during the playoffs. In the Wild Card Weekend, he caught seven passes for 71 yards against the Dolphins, followed by a two-touchdown performance against the Bills in the Divisional Round. Against the Ravens, he caught all 11 of the passes thrown his way, accumulating 116 receiving yards and scoring the game’s opening touchdown.
The question now is whether he can maintain this level of performance against the 49ers’ defense in the Super Bowl. According to the odds at BetOnline, Kelce is the favorite to have the most receptions in the game, although the margin is not significant.
Another key player in the Chiefs’ offense as of late is Rashee Rice, Kelce’s teammate. In the first three playoff games, Rice has made a significant impact with a total of 20 catches. He has recorded eight or more catches in five of his last nine games, a stark contrast to his performance in the first 10 games where he had no such impressive outings.
Interestingly, the two favorites for most receptions in the Super Bowl are both Chiefs players, while the 49ers’ top contenders are considered long shots. This is likely due to the 49ers’ preference for utilizing the running game and the abundance of options for quarterback Brock Purdy to throw to.
Brandon Aiyuk has made notable plays in the postseason, particularly against the Lions. However, he has only caught three passes in each of his last three games and has surpassed six catches in a game only once since Week 1. Deebo Samuel will likely have ample opportunities, but some of his receptions will likely come from the backfield and not contribute to his overall receptions total.
George Kittle follows on the list with odds of +1000, and Isiah Pacheco is listed at +2500.