by: Brenna Greene
Posted:
Updated:
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KOIN) — It’s every football fan’s dream to go to the Super Bowl. Running around outside as a kid, acting like you’re scoring the game-winning touchdown or kicking the walk-off field goal to win.
For two players in this year’s Big Game, that might actually become a reality in their rookie season.
Each team has first-year players who will have a major impact on who brings home the Lombardi Trophy. For the Chiefs, it’s a receiver who puts a ton of pressure on himself to prove he belongs.
Rashee Rice opened eyes and earned the trust of one of the best signal callers in the game in Patrick Mahomes over the course of this season.
With seven touchdowns and 79 receptions, Rice became the top receiver for Kansas City in a very short amount of time. He’ll look to get back into the end zone on Sunday.
“It’s defintely very crazy for me to be in the Super Bowl,” Rice said. “It’s a blessing.”
For the 49ers, rookie kicker Jake Moody’s leg has been money in his first year.
Not many kickers can say they were a third-round pick, but he’s shown the reason he was selected so high, hitting 21-of-25 field goals this year. However, he’s missed kicks in his last few games, including one in the NFC title game.
“Obviously, this is a huge game, but nothing changes for me. The field’s the same size,” Moody said. “It’s about trusting the preparation.”
These rookies know that they’ve become integral parts of either team becoming world champions.
A rookie has never won Super Bowl MVP before. Rice is a top 10 favorite in most sportsbooks to have a chance at the honor. But more people will probably be looking to place wagers on Moody’s performance.
The game’s total field goals made is set at 3.5 Combined with the Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, Moody can be the MVP of people’s prop bets if they hit the over.
