Kansas City drift for Super Bowl after shock release of star running back

AFC title contenders Kansas City have been eased from 11-2 to 6-1 to win the Super Bowl after the shock release of star running back Kareem Hunt for disciplinary reasons.

The Chiefs are third favourites to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning nine of their 11 games this season with the dynamic Hunt rushing for 824 yards and seven touchdowns and adding 378 receiving yards and another seven TDs.

New England, Kansas City's chief rivals in the AFC playoff seedings race, have been cut from 6-1 to 11-2 for the Super Bowl by bet365 and from 11-2 to 5-1 by BoyleSports.

Spencer Ware is set to start at running back for the Chiefs in a game they are expected to dominate against Oakland. Andy Reid's side are 14-point favourites having opened at 15.

The Chiefs statement on Hunt's release on Friday night read: "Earlier this year, we were made aware of an incident involving running back Kareem Hunt.

"As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him.

"Kareem was not truthful in those discussions. The video released today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately."

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport