LSU Stars in Bengals-Chiefs Game Spark ‘Incredible’ Louisiana Betting Interest
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The AFC Championship game on Sunday, featuring two teams with former LSU stars, is expected to generate heavy wagering in Louisiana throughout the weekend.
Louisiana online sports betting went live today.
Louisiana is the only Gulf Coast state, from Texas to Florida, with legal mobile sports betting.
Louisiana’s mobile launch, allowing bettors to use smartphones and computers to wager on games, was expected to get off to a big start, partly because of the Cincinnati Bengals-Kansas City Chiefs game, according to state Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns.
The chairman told Gambling.com the AFC Championship game on Sunday has “created an incredible interest in Louisiana.”
Burrow, Chase Lead Bengals into Kansas City
Going into Kansas City to face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, the Bengals are led by second-year quarterback Joe Burrow, a Heisman Trophy winner who guided the 2019 LSU Tigers to a national title. The Tigers are known informally as the Bayou Bengals.
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was a favorite target of Burrow’s on the LSU championship team and is a frequent Burrow target again. Chase’s performance this season has him in contention for NFL rookie-of-the-year award.
On the other side of the ball, Bengals defense lineman Tyler Shelvin was a standout player on the LSU national-title team.
Chiefs’ Banged-Up LSU Veterans Hope to Have an Impact Sunday
The Chiefs’ roster also includes former LSU players remembered fondly in Baton Rouge for their accomplishments as Tigers.
Two running backs on Kansas City’s team, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams, played college football at LSU. Edwards-Helaire was on the 2019 championship team. Williams last played for the Tigers a couple of years before the title run.
Another former LSU star, defense back Tyrann Mathieu, played in Baton Rouge several years before the championship season. An aggressive player, he became known during his time at LSU as the Honey Badger.
The three Chiefs who once suited up in LSU purple and gold are battling injuries.
Edwards-Helaire has been bothered by shoulder problems and other injuries but is expected to play on Sunday.
Williams, suffering from a toe injury and restricted to limited practice on Thursday, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Mathieu also is listed as questionable with a concussion but participated in a full practice on Thursday, according to CBS Sports.
The LSU football program apparently believes Mathieu will be ready to go against the Burrow-led Bengals.
On the LSU football Twitter feed Friday, the team wrote, “The swagger transcends generations. Burreaux vs. Honey Badger.” The Burreaux spelling is a Cajun twist on the Cincinnati quarterback’s last name.
Chiefs, Rams Favored to Win Spot in Super Bowl
Going into the Sunday’s game, the Chiefs are favored by seven points, according to Caesars Sportsbook Louisiana. The over/under is 54.5 combined points. Kickoff is at 2:05 p.m. CT.
The teams played a regular-season game in Cincinnati earlier this month. The Jan. 2 matchup resulted in a Bengals 34-31 victory.
Caesars reported the first mobile wager taken in Louisiana on its app was placed on the Bengals. The wager was $80 on the Bengals moneyline at +285 for a potential win of $228.
The team that wins the AFC title game will advance to the Super Bowl against the winner of the NFC Championship matchup later on Sunday between the Los Angeles Rams and visiting San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The Rams are favored by 3.5 points going into the weekend. The over/under is 45.5. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. CT.
The NFL’s 56th Super Bowl is scheduled to be held on Feb. 13, also at SoFi Stadium.
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