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SEASON RESULTS:
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Week 1 Preview:

If you’ve followed the BetCrushers in previous seasons you may have noticed we usually select somewhere between 3 to 6 of our favorite player prop bets each week. Maybe it’s just the excitement of having sports returning, but we’re loaded up with 8 selections we really like for the opening weekend of the NFL season. A few unders, some overs, receiving, rushing, there are options galore, so take a look at what we’re playing and see if you want to tag along for what we hope is a strong week one of wagers.

Our Picks:

Kirk Cousins – Under 252.5 Yards
Passing (-110)

It’s not as though Kirk Cousins isn’t a capable quarterback or this Minnesota offense can’t score points. In fact, they’re pretty good at moving the ball, particularly when they play at home. Despite that, we’re going under on Cousins passing yardage total on Sunday at 252.5. We’re expecting heavy doses of Dalvin Cook and the running game against a Packers team that was pretty good against the pass last season, and not so great against the run. Add in the fact that Cousins will be learning how to adapt to life without Stefon Diggs without any real preseason game practice and it seems like the under should be safe here.

Austin Ekeler – Over 57.5 Yards Rushing (-110)

The Cincinnati Bengals should be an improved team this season as they’ve added some talent and have reason for optimism with a new quarterback. It’ll likely be a work in progress on both sides of the ball and they struggled mightily last year. Austin Ekeler played phenomenally during Melvin Gordon’s holdout in 2019 before settling back into shared responsibilities. Gordon is now in Denver and it’s Ekeler’s chance to prove again he can be a lead elite back in the league. He should get plenty of touches, and even though some will be through the air, eclipsing 58 yards seems too good to be true as a prop bet. The Bengals revamped defense is also missing Pro Bowl DT Geno Atkins and safety Shawn Williams to key cogs in their run defense. The Chargers offense with Tyrod Taylor should be run focused so look for Ekeler to have a big day.

Baker Mayfield – Under 244.5 Passing (-110)

Unlike the previous season, the Cleveland Browns are flying under the radar with tapered expectations this year. That’s going to be a good thing for the team and their quarterback Baker Mayfield. We’re looking for a good and improved season from Mayfield and this very deep and talented offense. In fact, there will be value in playing over totals for this offense early in the season. However, in week one against a very tough Ravens squad Mayfield and this offense could find some struggles. Mayfield played well and beat the Ravens last year so it’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that Baltimore is going to throttle this offense, but with the style and tone of this game it should be a lower scoring affair.

Jack Doyle – Over 2.5 Receptions (-120)

When he has been healthy Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle has been one of the more quiet producers at the position. The problem is Doyle has struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons. He is ready to go for week one and is the clear cut number one tight end with Eric Ebron now in Pittsburgh. The Colts have a very juicy matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguar defense that has had and should continue to have trouble stopping opposing tight ends. Philip Rivers makes his Colts debut and should give this offense a bit of a jolt in the passing game. During his career with the Chargers Rivers loved using his tight ends on third down and in the redzone. With a total set at just 2.5 catches, we’ll take a crack at the over with Doyle.

Carson Wentz – Over 1.5 Touchdown Passes (-120)

A late and joyful playoff run to keep the Cowboys out of the playoffs was squashed early in Wild Card weekend when Carson Wentz was unfortunately knocked out of the game. The Eagles were decimated with injuries last season and they’re picking up where they left off with starting running back Miles Sanders ruled out for the opener. The offensive line for the Eagles, usually a strength, has some concerns with injuries to two of their most important starters. So why would be want to take an over after sharing all of those facts? Simple, this team will be throwing the ball more than you may think with the injury to Sanders. That could include near the goal line as backups Boston Scott and Corey Clement are not big backs ideal for short yardage situations. There is a good chance that whatever scores the Eagles have in this game come through the air. Can they put up 14 points? Wentz may not have an amazing stat line, but with a better lineup of receivers than he had finishing the season last year he’ll get two touchdowns in the game.

Jimmy Garrapolo – Under 249.5 Yards Passing (-110)

At first glance Jimmy Garrapolo’s match against the Cardinals looks like a shootout where he could throw for big yards against an Arizona defense that was not good in 2019. We’re going the opposite direction though and thinking this game is a bit more of a running grinder than a complete air affair. Garrapolo will no doubt make some plays in the passing game to George Kittle and in the screen game, however beyond that it could be a bit of a struggle. With Deebo Samuel out, the rest of the corp of receivers is not scaring many defensive coordinators. The Cardinals defense should be improved and they have enough talent in the secondary to lock down marginal receivers. Unless this game ends up 40-30, Jimmy G should post a very average stat line in terms of his yardage on Sunday.

Josh Jacobs – Over 82.5 Yards Rushing (-110)

A total of 82.5 yards in no joke so you’d better be pretty confident if you’re taking the over. We’ve got all of the confidence in the world that the second year man will have a big day against the Panthers. Jacobs should have plenty of touches to get to this total and his matchup looks really good on paper. The Raiders offensive line should be able to get a push against the Panthers, a defense that was horrendously bad last season, and that was with the now retired Luke Keuchly. Don’t panic if you play this over as it’ll likely take a full 4 quarters. With conditioning potentially being an issue, Jacobs should wear this defense down and could have a strong 4th quarter.

Mitchell Trubisky – Over 18.5 Yards Rushing (-110)

By all accounts the Chicago Bears Mitchell Trubisky has looked fantastic in their preseason camp. He won the starting job despite the team bringing in former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles to challenge him. The BetCrushers are absolutely not “all-in” on Trubisky, especially in terms of betting his overs. That’s exactly what we’re doing here though, with a little asterisk, it’s a rushing over total. We’re expecting him to play somewhat cautiously and not force a lot of throws, yet he knows that he has to have a good showing. He’s a pretty underrated scrambler and can absolutely pick up first downs with his legs. In a game that could be a little wide open, he should have a couple of nice runs to propel him over 18.5 yards.