The 2020 NFL season is finally here. Defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City kicks it all off on Thursday night when the Chiefs host Houston.
Bettors can find plenty of action on NFL games, including action on Week 1 player props. Here’s a look at Coach Rick’s top five Week 1 NFL player prop bets.
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NFL Week 1 Passing Yards Props
Tennessee and Denver will kick off the season on Monday night. The big football news out of Denver is the possibility that former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Von Miller may miss the 2020 season.
That is going to have a huge impact on the Broncos pass rush. DE Bradley Chubb is returning from a knee injury last season. What that all means for Tennessee will have a direct impact on Titans QB Ryan Tannehill.
Tannehill, the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year after guiding Tennessee to the AFC title game, will face a larger number of clean pockets. The running game, led by last year’s NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry, should also take some pressure off of Tannehill.
The result is that Tannehill will throw for more yards than expected. Look for the Titans quarterback to hit at least 251.
BEST BET: Tannehill 251+ Passing Yards (+120)
NFL Week 1 Rushing Yards Props
Todd Gurley will put on the Atlanta Falcons uniform for the first time. It should help rejuvenate the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Gurley had a down year in 2019 rushing for just 857 yards in 15 games. He did score 12 touchdowns though.
The Falcons averaged 4.4 yards per touch by their running backs a year ago. Gurley averaged 4.2 in L.A. Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has said Gurley is likely to get at least 15 touches on Sunday. That would put Gurley at 66 yards.
The Seahawks defense was 22nd in the NFL against the run last year. Maybe Seattle is improved, but without a preseason Coach Rick thinks Gurley can pull out at least an extra six yards. Check out our Seahawks vs. Falcons picks.
BEST BET: Gurley 72+ Rushing Yards (+127)
NFL Week 1 Receiving Yards Props
When Dallas travels to Los Angeles to face the Rams on Sunday, Cowboys rookie CeeDee Lamb will play in his first NFL game. Many believe Lamb, drafted in the first round at No. 17, will be the steal of the 2020 draft.
Lamb is big (6-2, 200), fast, and can play inside in the slot or on the outside as well. Playing with Amari Cooper in the NFL’s second-best passing offense a year ago, Dallas QB Dak Prescott should be able to target Lamb more than a handful of times.
In his first pro game, Lamb comes through with at least 51 receiving yards.
BEST BET: Lamb 51+ Receiving Yards (-114)
Steelers vs. Giants Props Betting Preview
Pittsburgh has beaten the Giants in each of the last two games between the two teams. In 2012, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Four years later in 2016, he tossed two touchdowns and threw for 289 yards.
Coach Rick likes his Steelers and is tempted to go for Big Ben to throw for over 291 yards at +104. However, another interesting statistic is that the Giants have given up a 100-yard rusher in each of those last two games against Pittsburgh.
Want More Picks? Best NFL Week 1 Parlays, Totals and Moneyline Underdogs.
In 2019, the Giants were 20th against the run giving up an average of 113.3 yards per game. With James Conner back at full strength behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, Coach Rick likes the longshot bet here.
BEST BET: Conner 96+ Rushing Yards (+317)
Brady vs. Brees Week 1 Props Analysis
A few years ago, Tampa Bay and New Orleans slugged it out in a 48-42 season opener. Tom Brady was still in New England at the time. Now, he’ll be a Buc and has a loaded offense with 1,000-yard receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, former teammate Rob Gronkowski at tight end, and RB Leonard Fournette.
Brees could throw for over 300 yards against a very suspect Tampa Bay pass defense. With all that talent around Brady though, the future Hall of Famer should have a solid day against a not-so-great New Orleans pass defense. The Saints were 20 th in pass defense last season.
The Bucs and Saints should put up a lot of points, which means Brady throws for multiple touchdowns.
BEST BET: Brady 3+ Passing Touchdowns (+112)
