NFL Week 8 Player Props: Bets for Darnold, Gainwell, Godwin
Last week, I was able to gain a bit of traction with another profitable week. Two out of three props and only a single-unit loss on a DeAndre Hopkins under that would have crushed on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. Oh well. The slate will play out on Halloween. Lock your lineups and bets in early so you can feign interest in all of the cool toddler superheroes that scamper around your neighborhood. Once the kids are exhausted, kick your feet up and sweat out the afternoon games with live tickets. No tricks, all treats this week. Let’s go!
Derek Carr locked up his passing prop with ease in a predictable throw-heavy game for the Raiders. Aaron Jones is always a sweat until the final play of the game but he went way, way, way short of his rushing prop. With a sweep on the line, DeAndre Hopkins caught just enough passes to leave us in a bit of disappointment. A win is a win, though, and we have rebounded quite nicely after a complete wash a few weeks ago. Hopefully, Halloween is kind to us as I scour the NFL slate for my favorite prop sweets. This week, my sweet tooth seems to yearn for overs. Let’s hope it goes well.
Make sure to check out our game breakdowns in the sports betting section and some NFL betting tips prior to diving into this weekend’s action.
NFL Week 8 Player Props
Sam Darnold Over/Under 239.5 Passing Yards
Trick or treat! I am not sure that a quarterback in the NFL has embodied the traditional Halloween phrase as much as Sam Darnold in recent weeks. Opening the season leading the entire NFL in rushing touchdowns, and making the Jets look pretty ghoulish for cutting him loose, Darnold’s recent performance must have the Jets feeling at least… okay with the decision.
A turnover machine of late, Darnold gets to play a shoddy Atlanta defense in a dome. Without Christian McCaffrey hogging all of the offensive touches, Darnold should be afforded plenty of opportunities to move the ball downfield against a Falcons’ defense surrendering 250.5 passing yards per game. Darnold makes for a sneaky DFS proposition given his fourth-quarter benching in the Panthers’ last contest. Matt Rhule claimed that Darnold is the starting quarterback — he just wanted to try and light a spark in the offense with the abrupt switch.
While a couple of turnovers seems likely, this game could surely go up and down the field. I think this number on Darnold is too low. I am going to grab the over at PointsBet.
PROP: 1.15u on Darnold Over 239.5 Yards (-115) at PointsBet
Kenneth Gainwell Over/Under 29.5 Rushing Yards
In the history of running backs, has anyone been more appropriately named to play the position? Kenneth will hopefully Gain well above 30 rushing yards to smash this prop for us.
Miles Sanders is out after an injury last week that left another one of my DFS lineups in the toilet. Gainwell seems to be poised to handle the backfield work despite the spectre of Boston Scott lurking in the background to vulture touches. The Eagles find themselves in a clear winnable matchup against the hapless Lions — a team cursing survivor pools each week by finding new ways to choke away awesome upset victories.
The Lions are pretty dreadful. The Eagles’ offense has been pretty dreadful. Yet, this will be the first time the Eagles are in a matchup where a win is projected — on the road. Gainwell has shown flashes of upside and explosiveness and his measly 29.5-yard line could be crushed in one touch. He surely can gain well over 30 yards against a Lions’ defense allowing 120 rushing yards per game. Okay. I’ll stop.
Puns aside, Gainwell is going to be a popular purchase this weekend on sports betting sites and fantasy sites alike. I am buying. I’ll take the over.
PROP: 1.08u on Gainwell Under 29.5 Rushing Yards (-108) at FanDuel
Chris Godwin Over/Under 72.5 Receiving Yards
For our final prop, we are OVER the moon for Chris Godwin against the Saints. With Antonio Brown out in Week 7, what everyone thought was affirmed — the receiving volume will be shared by Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Further, Tom Brady is going to throw the ball A LOT regardless of the script, score, etc… The push for another “Brady for MVP” campaign seems to be very live in Tampa Bay as the Bucs’ offense continues to run through the timeless signal-caller.
Godwin saw 11 targets last week. Why would we expect anything less? Godwin will be open often over the middle, offering Brady the security of the quick throw as the defense remains flummoxed. In theory, the Saints pose the biggest threat to the Bucs in the South but a 4.5-point spread doesn’t exactly sing “Who Dat?” I think Godwin is going to catch plenty of passes. This line is way, way, way too low. Give me the over for… a third over? This always ends well.
PROP: 1.15u Godwin Over 72.5 Receiving Yards (-115) at DraftKings
Happy Halloween! Good luck this week! Share your prop picks with Joe on Twitter @JoeCistaro.
2021 NFL Player Props Record: 11 – 7
Net Winning: +3.21
Image Credit: Imagn