3 NFL Prop Bets to Target in Week 2
It happened. Sports betting is finally legal, at least on a state-by-state basis. With the new legislation opening opportunities for fantasy gamers and casual fans alike, FanDuel has officially opened their sportsbook, where you can place wagers on a variety of contests.
Just in time for Week 2, FanDuel released a slew of player prop bets to take advantage of. Here are three player prop bets that stand out for Week 2.
Please note that lines and our projections may change after this article is published.
Tevin Coleman 50+ Rush Yards/Atlanta Win +182 (100+ Rush Yards +320)
A bet of $100 on Tevin Coleman at 50+ rush yards and an Atlanta Falcons win will net $182 on a winning ticket if it hits. With Devonta Freeman ruled out with a knee injury, this prop has yet to fully adjust for Coleman's projected workload, and the Falcons are favored by 6.0 points.
Our projections slate Coleman for 16.08 rushing attempts and 61.66 rushing yards. While Carolina's ninth-ranked defense looks good, per our schedule adjusted metrics, Coleman's projected volume more than makes up it. In four games without Freeman, Coleman logged 19, 21, 21, and 18 carries for 97, 58, 88, and 110 yards, per Evan Silva. Coleman also benefits from the absence of Thomas Davis, a key component of the Panthers' run defense.
Both Vegas and our models like Atlanta by a healthy margin in Sunday's contest. We see the contest finishing a bit closer than Vegas does, but we have Atlanta coming out on top by a score of 24.27-19.90.
The prop of Coleman's 50+ rushing yards at +182 looks like a lock this week, and 100+ Rush Yards at +320 looks enticing, as well. A Bet of $100 on this player prop performance double nets $320. For those with higher risk tolerance, 100+ rush yards presents a stark value, and 50+ rush yards should be hammered until the prop increases.
Christian McCaffrey Over 47.5 Rush Yards -102
A game mis-priced across the board, Christian McCaffrey's rushing prop comes in at 47.5 yards. However, with McCaffrey's juicy odds, a bet of $100 nets $98.
Similar to Coleman, McCaffrey has concerns, missing key cogs in his offensive line (Daryl Williams and Trai Turner). However, season-ending injuries to Keanu Neal and Deion Jones, two pivotal defenders for Atlanta, enhance this matchup significantly.
McCaffrey also benefits from an increase in usage compared to 2017, at least through one game. Last week, the second-year pro played on a career high 85 percent of snaps and logged 10 carries for 50 yards in a slow game against Dallas. Atlanta allowed Eagles running backs to rack up 98 rushing yards a week ago.
Playing 85 percent of the snaps, McCaffrey presents an awesome value in this situation. Our projections slot CMC for 48.11 rushing yards.
Ezekiel Elliott Over 3 Receptions +126
Prices as if it is still 2017, a $100 bet on Ezekiel Elliott recording more than three receptions returns $126.
This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys pledged to get Zeke more involved as a receiver. Although it did not come to fruition in Week 1, the Cowboys deployed him as a receiving back fairly often. Zeke ran 34 routes on 44 Dak Prescott drop backs, per Graham Barfield.
Favored by three points, the Cowboy should best their eight total points from a week ago. The New York Giants allowed six receptions to running backs against the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend. Playing 92 percent of the Week 1 snaps, Zeke should see a good amount of pass-game work this week.
