Player Props: Week 2
I hit on four of my seven recommendations last week and need to do better, but let’s face it Week 1 has become an extension of the preseason. So many players see little to no action during the preseason and in many cases, there seemed to be a lot of rust which led to sub-par performances. Only three quarterbacks threw for over 300 yards in Week 1, so of course my first pick of the week is an over on passing yards for a quarterback who missed a big chunk of last season. Talk about rust…
Please remember that gambling is super risky and you should only use funds that you can afford to lose.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Over 238.5 passing yards
I was going to avoid quarterbacks this week but this pick kept on calling out to me. On the one hand, it looks like WR Tee Higgins will be inactive again this week and Burrow was seen repeatedly flexing the wrist that he injured last season. Yes, it was the wrist that prematurely ended his 2023 season after Week 10. However, in four games (including two in the playoffs) Burrow has never thrown less than 250 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. His matchup has one of the highest expected point totals on the slate and with Ja’Marr Chase fully healthy and hopefully ready to put his contract issues behind him until the end of the season, this game could turn into a shootout.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Over 2.5 receptions
Stevenson was the primary back in every situation for the Patriots last week, including playing most of the passing down snaps. Many expected that Antonio Gibson would be the Patriots’ primary pass catching back but he wasn’t targeted at all in Week 1. With the Seahawks having given up seven receptions to Denver Broncos running backs last week, Stevenson should be able to match his career average and catch at least three passes in Week 2.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Over 64.5 rushing yards
With Arthur Smith now calling plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Robinson is truly a bell cow back. He played 50 snaps in Week 1 compared to ten for Tyler Allgeier. Robinson’s opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles gave up 6.5 yards per carry and a total of 130 rushing yards to Green Bay Packers running backs in Week 1. Look for Robinson to rush for over 100 yards on Monday night.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
Over 4.5 receptions
Robinson was targeted 12 times in Week 1 and caught six passes. Dating back to last season, it was his third straight game with at least five receptions. Injuries have slowed Robinson down early in his NFL career but he’s fully healthy and clearly a receiver that QB Daniel Jones trusts. The Commanders’ pass defense appeared a bit soft in Week 1, and with Malik Nabers likely to play in Week 2 but limited in practice this week due to a knee injury, Robinson might be the most targeted Giants wide receiver again this week.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
Over 50.5 rushing yards
This over/under was 49.5 earlier in the week. Pollard’s opponent, the New York Jets, haven’t been able to stop the run since last season, and they made San Francisco 49ers RB Jordan Mason a household name on Monday night. The Jets should beat the Titans this week, but it’ll likely be a close game. Pollard is clearly the Titans’ early down back and should get plenty of opportunities to run the ball on Sunday afternoon.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Over 2.5 receptions
With Hollywood Brown expected to miss the rest of the season and Travis Kelce seemingly slowing down a bit, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will find a way to get Worthy increasingly involved in his offense. Worthy looked dynamic in Week 1 and this could be the last time you get a discount on his receiving props. He has the potential to breakout in what could be a high scoring game against the Bengals.
Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Anytime TD scorer
Predicting touchdowns is tough and that’s why when you bet them to pay off so well. However, they are super risky. The Ravens are a huge favorite against the Las Vegas Raiders this week. I expect them to get off to a comfortable lead and run the ball down the Raiders’ throat in the second half of this game. The Raiders had trouble stopping the run in Week 1, giving up 161 yards on the ground to running backs. Henry should break one of his patented long runs and score a TD in Week 2.