Raiders-Bengals player props: Get ready for a QB-centric contest

While the side and total markets in the NFL playoffs are super tight, we can really have a good time in the player prop market.

If you're new to this space, you need to know that "fun" is the name of the game that we've had success rocking and rolling with this season.

James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," wasn't from Cincinnati, but his legacy is cherished in the city. Joe Burrow isn't from Cincinnati either, but he can further endear himself to the city if he gets the Bengals their first playoff win since 1991.

"I Got You"

Burrow's no stranger to making noise on the big stage, with a pair of incredible performances in the College Football Playoff against quality competition under his belt. It shows he can step up when the lights are bright.

At home, the Bengals tend to start slowly, fall behind, and then look to Burrow in the huddle for help. Burrow's reply has always effectively been, "I Got You." With a full complement of offensive weapons, expect him to get the ball out of his hands early, allowing Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd to take advantage of the Raiders' secondary.

Joe Mixon was the player of the game in the teams' regular-season meeting in Las Vegas, but with Derek Carr able to keep pace here, the game script dictates Burrow will need to clear his passing yards total to secure a late win.

Pick: Joe Burrow over 260.5 passing yards

A TD that’s definitely going to happen

This is my tongue-in-cheek bet - I can only sing "I feel good, I knew that I would" if it hits. While there are plenty of relatively high-probability touchdown scorers for this game, we'll look to a pass-catcher for the Bengals. Chase has the most touchdowns of the receiving corps and his odds reflect that.

Higgins, on the other hand, has six touchdowns in 14 games, including four in the last six. He has a big body that can box out Raiders defenders in the end zone the way that Mike Williams did Sunday night. When the teams last met, Higgins had 10% more snaps than Boyd, so look for him to be a focal point for a score.

Pick: Tee Higgins anytime touchdown (+130)

A TD that probably won’t happen ... but maybe it does

If you don't think I'm willing to go down the board for a random touchdown, "Try Me." Marcus Mariota might have an important role to play on an occasion when the underdog should be playing with house money and going deep into the playbook.

Mariota took 12 snaps in the last two games - with an obvious role in short-yardage plays. If Las Vegas interim head coach Rich Bisaccia is brazen enough to announce that "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" of tricks, Mariota could be worth a bet at a big payout number.

If the Raiders get a goal-line opportunity, we'll be saying: "Please, Please, Please" put the backup quarterback in for a sneak attempt.

Pick: Marcus Mariota anytime touchdown (+550)

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.