Player Props: Week 8
In my last article, I only hit on two of my five Week 6 suggestions. Unfortunately, I was away on a classified, super-secret assignment that I’m not allowed to talk about that kept me from writing my weekly article for Week 7. For the record had I been able to publish my Week 7 article I would have hit on three of my five suggestions. It doesn’t matter because my three losses in Week 6 brings my season long record to 13-8 (619 winning percentage). Let’s focus on what I am allowed to talk about. These are my five favorite player props for Week 8.
Please remember that gambling is super risky and you should only use funds that you can afford to lose.
Spencer Rattler, QB, New Orleans Saints
Over 212.5 passing yards
Rattler has been coming on of late, averaging just over 228 passing yards over the past three weeks. He also performs better when getting some of that New Orleans home cooking. Rattler averages just over 218 passing yards when playing at home, compared to 192 passing yards when he’s on the road. Luckily, he takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in Week 8, and they’ve given up an average of just over 309 passing yards over the past three weeks.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Over 5.5 receptions
This is a pretty bold pick because the Houston Texans, McCaffrey’s Week 8 opponent, have given up the fewest receptions to RBs (18) this season. However, we all know that McCaffrey is matchup proof and besides, he hasn’t had less than six receptions in a game all season!
Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Under 83.5 rushing yards
Whether it’s an underlying injury or simply the after effects of a 2024 season that saw him carry the ball 345 times, this isn’t the same Saquon Barkley that we’ve been accustomed to seeing on a football field. The stats are very telling. Last season Barkley averaged 3.8 yards before contact per rushing attempt. This season that average is down to 1.8. Last season he averaged 2.0 yards after contact per rushing attempt. This season that average is down is just 1.5. Barkley is averaging only 44.2 rushing yards per game this season and if you want to take the over on this prop simply because of the revenge factor against his old team, the New York Giants, that ship already sailed in Week 7 of last season.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Under 194.5 passing yards
Tagovailoa takes on the Atlanta Falcons who have given up the fewest passing yards to quarterbacks this season (934). They haven’t given up more than 180 passing yards in a game to a quarterback this season and Tagovailoa will not be the first one to do so.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets
Under 166.5 yards
Look, I know that 166.5 passing yards is extremely low and yeah, the Bengals pass defense isn’t very good, but Fields got benched last week and would not be playing in Week 8 if Tyrod Taylor were healthy. Fields has averaged just 3.1 yards per pass attempt over the past two weeks and with Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds out in Week 8 I don’t think things get any better for the Jets quarterback.