It’s hard to believe the end of the NFL season is already here! After 17 weeks of heart-stopping NFL action, professional football has only five more weeks of action before fans – and bettors alike – will take a seven-month hiatus from America’s top-watched sport.
But before sadness sets in, the NFL’s Week 18 schedule provided another jolt of excitement as multiple teams still need to win to secure a playoff berth. Bettors will note that dozens of athletes are primed for big games to wrap up the regular season.
Which players should bettors count on to score big payouts for their wallet? We’ll reveal our top player prop bets for Week 18 below.
Baker Mayfield OVER 225.5 Passing Yards
Despite their 8-8 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one win away from securing their first postseason berth without Tom Brady helming the offense. This year, Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield has put together a complete season, notching 3,907 passing yards with 28 TDs and only 10 INTs – numbers that have him among the NFL’s leaders in each category.
This week, the Buccaneers take the road to face the Carolina Panthers. In their first matchup, Mayfield had only 209 yards passing as the running game – and specifically RB Rachaad White – logged 128 rushing yards to control the game.
With the Panthers improved rush defense, Mayfield will be called upon to guide the Buccaneers down the field through the air. Needing a win against the Panthers, expect Mayfield to have at least 226 passing yards Sunday in North Carolina.
Travis Etienne, Jr OVER 52.5 Rushing Yards
Another team with their postseason hopes on the line this week is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Going into the game, franchise QB Trevor Lawrence remains a game-day decision for the Jaguars, meaning backup C.J. Beathard could earn the starting nod again this week.
With Beathard under center, Jacksonville RB Travis Etienne, Jr., had a monster game last week against the Carolina Panthers. Etienne notched 16 carries for 102 yards and two TDs, his best performance since an October contest against Buffalo.
Despite being held to an ironic 52 rushing yards in the first matchup, expect Etienne to cover this player prop bet.
Bijan Robinson OVER 20.5 Receiving Yards
Despite Atlanta’s troubles at the QB position, first-round draft pick RB Bijan Robinson has been an unquestionable star in his debut season. On the year, Robinson has recorded 948 rushing yards on 203 carries, netting 4.7 yards per carry and four rushing TDs.
Robinson’s also lethal through the air, hauling in 51 of his 78 targets for 384 yards and three scores. In the Falcons first matchup against the Saints, Robinson finished the game with 91 rushing yards on 16 carries and a rushing TD while also adding 32 receiving yards and one score in the passing game.
Expect Atlanta to do more of the same this week against New Orleans, and Robinson will easily eclipse the 20.5 receiving yards mark needed to cover this player prop bet.
Saquon Barkley OVER 62.5 Rushing Yards
After the New York Giants lost QB Daniel Jones for the year, the team turned to unheralded rookie Tommy DeVito to finish the season. The Giants resurrected their season with DeVito under center, but the former Illinois signal caller – and now veteran QB Tyrod Taylor – enjoyed the spoils of a healthy Saquon Barkley in the backfield.
Expect Barkley to continue his late-season resurgence against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18. In the first matchup, Philadelphia yielded 106 rushing yards to New York, allowing Barkley to run for 80 of those yards on 23 carries.
Despite a disappointing Week 17 finish for Barkley, bettors can be assured the RB will continue his dominance over the Eagles in Week 18.
Dak Prescott UNDER 269.5 Passing Yards
Dallas QB Dak Prescott has enjoyed one of his best years in 2023. The Cowboys signal caller has completed 68.4% of his passes for 4,237 yards and 32 TDs against only eight INTs, numbers that rank among his career bests with one game remaining on the slate.
That game is against the Washington Commanders. In Dallas’ first matchup against the NFC East rivals, Prescott threw for 331 yards on a 22-of-32 performance, completing four of those passes for scores in a 45-10 blowout on Thanksgiving Day.
Don’t expect Prescott to need that impressive of a performance Sunday in this regular season rematch. The Commanders have allowed seven rushing TDs and over 100 yards in their past four games, meaning the Cowboys will run over Washington Sunday and rest Prescott’s arm.
