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Sports Interaction Staff
What Is an Octopus? Super Bowl 59’s Most Unique Bet Explained
One intriguing option is the Octopus Bet. Let’s dig into what this bet entails, its origins, and its relevance to the upcoming game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Understanding the Octopus Bet
In football terminology, an Octopus occurs when the same player scores a touchdown and subsequently completes a two-point conversion on the same drive, totalling eight points. This term was coined by Sports Illustrated writer Mitch Goldich in 2018.
Learn more about the Octopus bet here.
How Often do Octopus Scores Happen?
As of the conclusion of the 2024 NFL regular season, the “Octopus”—where a player scores a touchdown and the subsequent two-point conversion—has occurred 196 times since the NFL introduced the two-point conversion in 1994. Notable players who achieved this feat during the 2024 season include:
Davante Adams (Week 15, December 15, 2024): New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bijan Robinson (Week 14, December 8, 2024): Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings.
Jerry Jeudy (Week 13, December 2, 2024): Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos.
Chuba Hubbard (Week 12, November 24, 2024): Carolina Panthers vs. Kansas City Chiefs.
Zach Ertz (Week 11, November 14, 2024): Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles.
Octopus in Super Bowl History
The first and only Octopus in Super Bowl history was recorded by… Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl 57. Hurts scored a two-yard rushing touchdown and followed it up by running in the two-point conversion, tying the game at 35.
Does this increase his odds to score another one this Super Bowl?
Octopus Betting Odds for Super Bowl 59
A great example of a high risk, high reward bet. A $10 bet on either team scoring an octopus would earn a bettor $150, including their original bet.
Considering the offensive strengths of both teams, certain players stand out as potential candidates to achieve an Octopus in Super Bowl 59:
- Travis Kelce (Chiefs): As a primary target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kelce’s proficiency in the red zone makes him a strong candidate.
- Jalen Hurts (Eagles): Given his dual-threat capabilities, Hurts has already demonstrated his ability to execute both a touchdown and a two-point conversion in critical moments.
