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Talking Props: Week 5 NFL Player Props

NFL Player Props

I will start this column with a simple “I’m sorry.” Not because I did anything wrong. No, I’m just apologizing on behalf of my homie Chris Molina, the regular author of this NFL Player Props column.

See, sometimes work happens. And work is so damn stressful. There isn’t enough brain power to muster up a few quality player props to help you beautiful people win some money.

So on behalf of Chris, “I’m sorry.”

But here’s the funny part: Chris’ worst attempts at picking player props are likely still head and shoulders better than my best attempt, so hopefully, you at least find my feeble attempts at filling in hilarious enough to come back next week when I won’t be writing this column.

Consider that your disclaimer.

And as Chris would say, “You know the drill.” Each prop is either HIGHER or LOWER. You need to hit all five to collect unless you use Underdog’s new feature, insurance. Insurance allows you the ability to collect if you only miss one pick. Four out of five with insurance, and you collect at 2.5x. The tradeoff is a 10x win if you hit all five props. It’s 20x when you hit all five without insurance. It’s something to consider if you wish.

Now, let’s talk some props!

Week 5 NFL Player Props

Austin Ekeler 38.5 Receiving Yards

When two immovable objects meet head-on, one has to yield… right? Ekeler has fewer than 39 receiving yards in only one game so far this year (Week 1). His opponent this week, the Cleveland Browns, have allowed more than 39 receiving yards to RBs only once this year — Week 2 against the Jets (41 yards). The Chargers’ offense hasn’t skipped a beat this season, as they’re the only team in the NFL currently averaging over 300 passing yards a game. With Keenan Allen ruled out once again, expect a heavy dose of Ekeler underneath. Did I mention Ekeler also leads all NFL running backs in receiving yards? Yeah, we’re going HIGHER on this one.

David Njoku 37.5 Receiving Yards

Here’s some fire content I stumbled upon from LaQuan Jones, an editorial researcher with NFL Network (and lover of loud shirts):

Did you know that Njoku has NEVER totaled less than 55 receiving yards against the Chargers in his career? Did you know that Njoku has topped 70 receiving yards in each of the last two weeks? Njoku averages roughly 50 receiving yards per game this season. The Chargers have allowed 50 or more receiving yards to TEs in three of their four games this season. If you’re not going HIGHER here, you don’t like free money.

Looking for fantasy football advice? Be sure to check out Austin’s DFS Academy and our weekly rankings!

Terry McLaurin 59.5 Receiving Yards

McLaurin hasn’t had the best start to his season. But this line is interesting. McLaurin has topped 60 receiving yards in two of his last three games, and the Titans allow the 4th-most yards to WRs. The Commanders also just lost Jahan Dotson for a week or two to an injury, giving McLaurin more opportunity for targets. There’s no one on the Titans capable of slowing down McLaurin. HIGHER we go!

James Robinson 64.5 Rushing Yards

You know what the Houston Texans are really bad at? Well, a lot of things, but one thing, in particular, they really suck at is stopping the run. They allow 172 rushing yards/game, second-worst in the league, and yield the most rushing yards to RBs. Robinson tallied 66, 64, and 100 rushing yards over the first three games of this year. Don’t expect a repeat of Week 4 against Philly; Houston doesn’t have the offensive firepower to jump out to an early lead and keep JRob at bay. We’re going HIGHER again!

CeeDee Lamb 5.0 Receptions

You know who doesn’t miss Dak Prescott? CeeDee Lamb. In three straight games without Dak, Lamb has six or more receptions in every single one of them. You know what Jalen Ramsey and the Rams’ defense have done to slow down opposing WRs? Nothing. They’ve allowed 847 yards to WRs this year, per The 33rd Team, which is second most in the league. Talk about easy money. And because Chris is an Oklahoma Sooner fan AND a Los Angeles Rams fan, I had to find a player prop that would both excite him and make him want to scream into his couch cushion. So, I gotta have a little fun telling you to go HIGHER on Lamb’s receptions prop.

And remember, it’s not my fault if you don’t win money on these props. It’s Chris’s for having a real job that pays him what I can’t for writing these every week.

So much time is spent on offensive players, but we cover defense too. Check out You Down with IDP? every Thursday at 7 PM EST.