The player prop series will continue with a look at the Monday Night Football game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers. Anticipated to be a crucial game for the NFC standings, the contest has become an inconsequential one for the 49ers, who have long been eliminated from postseason contention. It remains an important game for the Lions, who, despite owning a 13-2 record, are yet to clinch the NFC North and the first overall seed in the conference.
A loss to the same team that dealt them a defeat in last season’s NFC Championship would drop Detroit to second in their own division ahead of a critical Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. One team plays for pride, and the other plays for their future, and both will provide excellent player prop betting opportunities to continue the hot streak started by the last article.
1) Isaac Guerendo Over 14.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
There are several different factors that make this pick the most confident of the night. First is the fact that the Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL at defending the run, ranking fourth in rush yardage allowed per game. San Francisco will be without two starting offensive linemen in what was already a difficult matchup, making it likely that the Niners will lean on quarterback Brock Purdy and the passing game. Because of the injuries in the backfield, Guerendo will be forced to play the lion’s share of the running back snaps, including those in obvious passing situations, allowing him plenty of opportunity to cash this line.
It’s well-known that Detroit has struggled to contain opposing passers, a fact that has recently extended to pass-catching running backs. D’Andre Swift of the Chicago Bears notched 33 yards receiving against them, while the Buffalo Bills running backs racked up a combined eight catches for 156 yards in their Week 15 visit to the Motor City. Guerendo needs one solid catch and runs against a defense that hands them out like candy. He’s worth a sprinkle here.
2) Jared Goff Over 31.5 Passing Attempts (-146)
This isn’t a great price on a player prop, but it’s hard to complain given Goff’s, and Detroit’s, track records. Head coach Dan Campbell’s endless aggression keeps the Lions throwing the ball regardless of the score, helping Goff attempt at least 32 passes in each of Detroit’s last four games.
The Niners have been excellent against the pass this season, but they’ll be without a couple of key pieces to their defense here. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, arguably the best defensive back on the roster, has been ruled out for personal reasons. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is dealing with a nagging calf injury (a common theme for the Niners it seems) and will also miss this game. With the much-publicized departure of backup De’Vondre Campbell, San Francisco is particularly weak over the middle of the field, an area the Lions specialize in attacking. Look for Goff and the offense to take advantage of Niner personnel deficiencies and keep the passing attack rolling.
3) Jahmyr Gibbs Over 25.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Much of the reasoning that applies to Guerendo applies to Gibbs too. An MCL injury to David Montgomery left Gibbs in charge of the vast majority of snaps at his position, providing plenty of opportunity in both the run and pass games. He’s taken advantage of that opportunity to the tune of at least 30 receiving yards in his last four games. Meanwhile, San Francisco has given up at least four catches to opposing running backs in every game over the past month. Those running backs haven’t always hit this yardage total, but Gibbs is one of the best players in the NFL with the ball in his hands. It’s reasonable to trust him to pick up chunk yardage if given the opportunity. The Lions will get him the necessary opportunities, and Gibbs will handle the rest.
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