NFL Prop Shop: Betting the Conference Championships
Ray Lewis says defense wins championships, but the Divisional Round showed how far ahead offenses truly are. We expect all four remaining offenses to explode on Sunday, which unfortunately doesn’t make picking the best player props any easier. Here’s a look at some of our picks for the playoffs’ top props.
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Who will record the most Passing Yards in the Conference Championships?
Tom Brady (NE) QB – EVEN
Though the New England Patriots finally found love for the running game this year – they are top five in rush attempts – it’s still Tom Brady’s game. In Week 3 meeting with the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots lost 31-30 but Brady still passed for 335 yards. With a Ravens defense that is nowhere as dominant as it used to be (ranking 17th in total yards allowed), we expect Brady to get his – or the most – on Sunday.
Who will record the most Rushing Yards in the Conference Championships?
Ray Rice (BAL) RB – 2/1
In Week 14 of the regular season, the Ravens made a bold move and fired its offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Cameron was pushing for a Patriots passing-attack style at the expense of the Ravens best offensive player, Ray Rice.
Despite getting just 20 carries, Rice ran for 101 rushing yards in his Week 3 meeting with the Patriots. We expect head coach John Harbaugh to realize the efficiency of his star RB and give him even more attempts on Sunday. His ability on the ground will keep Brady and his high-powered offense off the field. The only thing that could limit his carries is if he has more fumbling problems, forcing Harbaugh to trust backup Bernard Pierce.
Who will record the most Receiving Yards in the Conference Championships?
Roddy White (ATL) WR 5/1
Generally fantasy football players have to flip a coin on which wide receiver from the Atlanta Falcons will perform on Sunday. Despite WR Julio Jones getting equal opportunities in the passing game, we expect Roddy White to be the better ATL receiver, and the best receiver overall this conference weekend. Jones has been steady but White is the greater big-play threat in the passing game right now, grabbing a 47-yard bomb last week versus the Seattle Seahawks.
Brady relies heavily on his receivers as well but he tends to spread that ball around more. A solid wager is playing an Atlanta wideout, and White has the better chance at big yardage Sunday.
Total Rushing Yards – Colin Kaepernick
Over 62.5 (-135)
We don’t expect Colin K to embarrass the Atlanta D for 181 rushing yards like he did the Green Bay Packers, but it’s evident he’s on par with Washington’s Robert Griffin III when it comes to running the ball. Kaepernick is running the pistol offense perfectly, which calls for QB-designed runs, and his long strides pick up big yardage as a runner. Kaepernick could be held in check, but it still could amount to over 62.5 yards.
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