This time of year can be difficult for bettors. It is not unusual for a struggling NFL team to play well for a day and keep it close against a better team. But if taking such a bet does not sound like a good idea, give one (or more) of the hundreds of player props a try.
With three games on Thanksgiving and another on Black Friday, there are fewer games than usual. However, there are still hundreds of NFL player props available. To help you decide which to bet on, here is our top 10 list of player props for Sunday’s Week 13 slate.
NFL Week 13: Player Props
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Pat Freiermuth, four-plus receptions at +194 (FanDuel)
Freiermuth had four last week in the loss to the Browns and at least that many in each of the first four games of the season. But against a passing team like the Bengals, the Steelers will likely need every weapon in their arsenal to keep up with the Cincinnati passing game. The Bengals’ defense has taken it relatively easy on tight ends this year. So, whether the Steelers are trying to catch up or control the ball, there is a good chance Freiermuth plays a bigger part than usual and makes four-plus receptions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young, O/U 195.5 at -114/-114 (FanDuel)
Those of us who have not paid much attention to the Carolina Panthers this season might be surprised to hear that Bryce Young has been playing pretty well since returning to the starting lineup. He’s thrown for 200-plus yards in two of his past four games and is completing 60-plus percent of his passes. Tampa Bay has a solid run defense. Since the Bucs will probably throw early and often, the Panthers will need Young to throw the ball to catch up and/or be competitive. With how well Young is playing right now, we’ll take the OVER.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, O/U 220.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (DraftKings)
Maye threw for more than 220 passing yards against the Rams and Dolphins, two solid defenses, in his past two games. The Colts’ defense ranks No. 27 in pass defense and has seen opponents average 34 pass attempts and 231.7 yards per game over the past three. Maye has averaged right around 34 attempts and 230 yards over his past three. Take the OVER.
Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints
Kyren Williams, O/U 19.5 rushing attempts at -102/-128 (FanDuel) O/U 82.5 rushing yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel) O/U 11.5 receiving yards (DraftKings)
Williams had 16, 15, and 15 carries the past three weeks but had 20-plus in the previous four and has averaged 18.8 per game this season. But he’ll be facing a New Orleans Saints team that has seen opponents run the ball 26.7 times per game and 27.8 at home. The Rams tend to run a little less on the road, but they are fighting to remain in the playoff conversation (just like the Saints). To that end, they’ll put the ball in the hands of their playmaker rather than spread the touches among multiple backs.
New Orleans has been giving up 134.2 yards per game on the ground but has been especially weak against the run at home (163.2 yards per game). Wiliams has gone for over 82.5 yards in three of the five games in which he had 20-plus carries. But against a Saints team giving up 160-plus at home, take the OVER.
Williams has not been targeted in the passing game the past two weeks (three total). In the eight games where he had at least one catch, he finished with under 11.5 yards in three. He is not a priority in the passing game. Take the UNDER.
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
C.J. Stroud, O/U 259.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (BetMGM) Tank Dell, O/U 51.5 receiving yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel) O/U 4.5 receptions at +130/-170 (FanDuel) Nico Collins, O/U longest reception 26.5 yards at -130/+100 (BetMGM)
This should be the ‘get-right’ game C.J. Stroud and the Texans have needed for weeks. Jacksonville has overtaken the Ravens as the worst pass defense in the NFL. Stroud has gone over 259.5 passing yards just once in Houston’s past seven games.
But opponents are averaging 278.3 yards per game this season and close to 300 over the past three games. If Stroud can’t go off against this team with the talent at his disposal …
Tank Dell has gone over 51.5 yards in both games with Nico Collins back in the lineup. But against a Jacksonville defense that has allowed an average of 13.5 receptions for 183.5 yards, Dell should see a few more targets.
Collins will be the primary receiver, of course, but Dell could still see balls thrown his way and that should be enough for him to go OVER both marks. As for Collins, he has had a reception of 28-plus yards in every game but one. Jacksonville has given up 52 pass plays of 20-plus yards and nine of 40-plus.
Take the OVER.