NFL Week 2 player props: Playing off Week 1 results
Trust me, I'm content with a 5-5 start in Week 1 of our player props. Sure, we dropped a half-unit, but it's a small price to pay to note that the under might be the way to play this week with so much usage uncertainty and star quarterbacks yet to find their form.
Joe Burrow: Under 265.5 passing yards / Under 11.5 rushing yards
Joe Burrow shouldn't be worried about an awful Week 1 performance. However, it'd be thoroughly impressive if he surpassed this total after recording 2.1 yards per pass attempt and 82 total passing yards last week, especially since he totaled just 217, 215, and 207 yards in three meetings versus the Ravens last season.
As a bonus, Burrow is also lined at 11.5 rushing yards, which is his usual total when healthy. If he's still not comfortable scrambling after recording one carry last week, he'll be less likely to take on a lurking Roquan Smith.
Justin Fields: Under 61.5 rushing yards
NFL defensive coordinators seemingly spent the offseason trying to handle the proliferation of mobile quarterbacks, with Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones, and Josh Allen having all been slowed so far. Justin Fields currently has the most quarterback rushing yards, but the Buccaneers have linebackers with the ability to cover the width of the field when Fields takes off.
Bijan Robinson: Over 2.5 receptions (-130)
Bijan Robinson wasn't drafted eighth overall to carry the ball 30 times. He was picked that high because he can help Desmond Ridder by catching short passes and doing cool stuff afterward. Sure enough, he caught six balls, including a highlight-reel touchdown, after being lined at 2.5 in Week 1. Robinson's lined at 2.5 again, and we'll be betting this until the sportsbooks adjust considerably. He's also 10-1 to have 50-plus receiving yards against the Packers, who gave up 11 receptions to Bears tailbacks last week.
Zack Moss: Over 47.5 rushing yards
Zach Moss was tabbed to be the Colts' starting running back this summer once it was clear Jonathan Taylor wouldn't be available. Then Moss broke his arm.
One intrepid bettor was overwhelmed by Indy's main issue in Week 1:
Perhaps ironically, I’ve never seen a team more in need of a running back in my entire life than the Colts.
— Matt Russell 🇨🇦 (@mrussauthentic) September 10, 2023
Moss is back, so I have to put my money where my mouth is. Moss finished last season with 81, 65, 74, and 114 yards as the workhorse tailback with Taylor out. He now has Anthony Richardson as an added threat and zero competition for carries.
Trevor Lawrence: Under 262.5 passing yards
Travis Kelce is back to extend drives for the Chiefs and keep the Jaguars off the field. However, his prop totals are right back to where they usually are. The other big-name returnee, Chris Jones, leads us to a bet. Kansas City's defense held up well without him, while Trevor Lawrence threw for just 7.4 yards per attempt without Cam Robinson against the Colts. With fewer possessions against K.C., Lawrence won't surpass this total if that average comes down even a little bit Sunday.
Joshua Kelley: Anytime touchdown (+115)
Everyone should pick up Joshua Kelley in fantasy this week with Austin Ekeler doubtful. Even Ekeler thinks so. For betting purposes, Kelley is available at plus-money to score despite Ekeler usually having a minus-price. Kelley may or may not translate a starter's workload into yardage, but the Chargers love running the ball at the goal line.
James Cook: Over 48.5 rushing yards
James Cook had all the usage you'd want from a No. 1 running back Monday night. However, he was facing the Jets' defense. The Raiders allowed 4.4 yards per carry against Broncos tailbacks, so look for Cook to get 15-plus carries and clear this total with the Bills probably looking to calm things down offensively.
Jahmyr Gibbs: Over 70.5 rushing + receiving yards
The football world came away clamoring for more Jahmyr Gibbs after he had 60 yards on just nine touches in the NFL season opener. Let's hope we get it with a well-rested Lions team returning home for a game against a Seahawks defense that struggled against the Rams at home.
Daniel Jones: Under 29.5 pass attempts
We like prop bets that win two ways. The Giants could beat the Cardinals handily, sparing Daniel Jones from throwing often late in this game. Or, Arizona's pass rush, which had six sacks last week, might be good enough to get to Jones to keep his throwing attempts down under this number.
Garrett Wilson: Over 4.5 receptions (+110)
All hope was lost when Aaron Rodgers went down - not for the Jets' chances of winning, but for Garrett Wilson to clear 5.5 receptions. He finished Monday night's game a half-catch shy of going over after catching every pass thrown to him. Despite that 100% catch rate from Zach Wilson, Garrett's total has dropped, and the over is available at +110. We'll take that, knowing that the Jets will likely have to throw some more to their star receiver.
Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.