NFL incentives odds: Betting on players who bet on themselves
While Week 18 is meaningless for some NFL teams beyond pride and draft position, it provides players with a last chance to earn contract incentives.
Players and - more importantly - coaches are well-aware of this, as there's no better way to reward someone for their season than helping them collect an extra $100K or several for their on-field performance.
Oddsmakers at theScore Bet are providing the opportunity to wager on players chasing these bonuses. Let's take a look at a few key players with attainable incentives.
Austin Ekeler: Over 109.5 Rush + Receiving Yards
The Chargers tailback is 110 all-purpose yards away from an extra $100,000. Ekeler and Co. host the Chiefs, who will likely sit several starters. The Chargers are 3.5-point favorites. However, Ekeler has only gone over 109.5 rushing and receiving yards three times this season.
DeAndre Hopkins: Over 6.5 Receptions
Hopkins has three incentives up for grabs, each worth $250,000. His goals for Week 18 are seven catches, 39 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, but if he takes care of the receptions, the receiving yards should follow.
While the Titans are eliminated from playoff contention, head coach Mike Vrabel will likely ensure Hopkins is heavily targeted as they look to spoil the division-rival Jaguars' playoff hopes.
Devin Singletary: Over 73.5 rushing yards
Singletary, who took over as the Texans' lead back when Dameon Pierce got hurt midseason, is 74 rushing yards shy of a $125,000 incentive. He also has incentives based on the percentage of snaps he plays. He's currently at 52%, and if he can increase that snap share to 55%, he'll cash in another $250,000.
The Texans play a do-or-die game against the Colts on Saturday night. Singletary's odds of going over 73.5 rushing yards are set at +135.
Dalton Schultz: Over 5.5 receptions
Schultz is another Texan with more than the playoffs on the line. While winning is a priority, Schultz is six catches away from earning an extra $250,000. If those six or more catches produce a receiving total over 107 yards, he'll take home an additional $250,000.
However, Schultz has only surpassed six catches three times this season, and the Colts feature one of the best defenses against tight ends. His odds of going over 5.5 receptions are +200.
Chris Jones: To Record One Sack
The Chiefs defensive lineman is one full sack away from collecting a massive $1.25-million bonus. Assuming he plays against the Chargers, there's a good chance he earns this. Los Angeles has one of the league's worst offensive lines and Jones generated a season-high seven pressures against the Chargers in Week 7.