Betting
9/4/24
5 min read
NFL's 5 Best Prop Bets To Consider In Week 1
The NFL kicks off with an exciting Week 1 filled with intriguing matchups and interesting prop bets.
Along with a Thursday night opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, NFL fans will get a Friday night game in Brazil between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles before a full slate of Sunday games.
Whether you're rooting for a specific team or just want to find some bets to keep you more invested in this weekend's games, here are five of the best prop bets to consider for Week 1.
All odds courtesy of FanDuel.
5 NFL Week 1 Prop Bets
Carson Steele Anytime TD (+1000)
Want to bet on an under-the-radar player? Look no further than undrafted RB Carson Steele.
The former Ball State and UCLA running back might be Kansas City's secret weapon this season. He made the 53-man roster as a fullback, but he dominated the preseason with 7.36 yards after contact per attempt. That was against bench players, but it's worth noting when considering his play style.
Isiah Pacheco will need a breather every now and then, and with Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the reserve/non-football illness list, the Chiefs only have two viable backup running backs. One of those is a reliable veteran in Samaje Perine, but he only just arrived at Chiefs practice.
Expect Steele to see some playing time on Thursday night, especially if the Chiefs face a goal-to-go situation. It's a long shot bet, but great value on a player who should get preferred goal line touches.
Dontayvion Wicks Over 28.5 receiving yards (-114)
There are a lot of mouths to feed on the Packers offense. However, no receiver on Green Bay's roster has generated as much offseason hype as Dontayvion Wicks.
Wicks finished ninth in the NFL with 2.2 YAC above expectation in 2023. While he wasn't the primary target in Green Bay's offense, he consistently snapped off routes to get open and made plays with the ball in his hands. By the end of the year, he became a consistent contributor on offense.
Packers fans were reminded of the impact Wicks can have on his lone reception of the preseason, taking a slot fade 65 yards for a touchdown.
Didn't take long for Jordan Love 🙌 @Packers take an early lead!
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
📱: Stream #GBvsCLE on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yyJlhvP170
Wicks' ability to create separation and make plays after the catch should have him hit his receiving over with only a handful of targets on Friday night.
Anthony Richardson under 43.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
Indianapolis Colts fans were relieved to see Anthony Richardson back on the field this preseason. However, they shouldn't expect the same kind of aggressive running style early in 2024.
Richardson missed the majority of his rookie season after suffering an AC joint sprain that required season-ending surgery. It ended such a promising start to Richardson's first NFL season, where he was an electric dual-threat quarterback.
However, even when he was on the field, Richardson only surpassed 43.5 rushing yards in one of his four games, which was an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Colts and coach Shane Steichen will likely be a bit more conservative with Richardson as a runner early this season until they can be comfortable with how he'll hold up physically. Expect a lot of quick-game RPOs and handoffs to Jonathan Taylor while Richardson gets comfortable back on the field.
Kenneth Walker III 2+ Touchdowns (+550)
The Seattle Seahawks are 5.5-point favorites this week against the Denver Broncos. In theory, that should mean that they control the game against a rookie quarterback and keep pounding the rock.
It would make sense for the Seahawks to emphasize the run game on Sunday. According to FTN, the Broncos had the second-worst rushing defense by DVOA last season. The defense added some new faces, but not enough to drastically alter its effectiveness against the run.
Kenneth Walker III is flying under the radar. He has nearly 2,400 rushing and receiving yards to go along with 18 total touchdowns in two seasons. He's a productive runner capable of producing some huge statistical games, and this should be one of them.
Expect Walker to get plenty of touches in Week 1.
Christian Mccaffrey over 75.5 rushing yards (-114)
Kyle Shanahan has had a full offseason to prepare for the New York Jets, and that should mean plenty of creative run designs for Christian McCaffrey.
For the NFL's biggest star at running back, 75.5 yards seems awfully attainable. Outside of a rough four-game stretch where the 49ers went 1-3, McCaffrey had more than 75 rushing yards in all but one game, including the team's postseason run.
The 49ers also got Trent Williams back at practice after agreeing to a reworked deal. They also bolstered their offensive line this offseason by drafting Kansas guard Dominick Puni.
Meanwhile, the Jets were an average team against the run last season, ranking 14th in defensive DVOA against the run. They also lost a key starter up front in John Franklin-Myers, while exciting edge rusher Haason Reddick has yet to arrive to practice as he continues to hold out.
Expect a heavy dose of McCaffrey to set the tone, as the 49ers are looking to assert themselves again as the NFC's Super Bowl favorite.
