The NFL playoffs have arrived. The Chiefs and Eagles can kick back with a bye while the other 12 teams grind it out in the Super Wild Card Weekend, which this year includes Monday.
Here are our four best player props from football betting sites for Saturday’s games.
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George Kittle – Touchdown scorer
Nobody is happier to have Brock Purdy as his quarterback than George Kittle.
Rookie QBs often look to the security blanket of a tight end, and that’s precisely what Purdy has done with the big man. The Iowa connection (Purdy – Iowa State, Kittle – Iowa) has hooked up SEVEN times for touchdowns in the last four weeks.
Two of those TDs came against Seattle in a game where George tore up the Seahawks’ defense for 93 yards. We expect Purdy, the last overall pick in this year’s draft, to continue to seek out his safety net in his first postseason start.
Kittle has had multiple scores in three of his last four games, so taking a shot at 2+ touchdown odds isn’t a bad idea, either.
D.K. Metcalf – Under 61.5 receiving yards
The Geno Smith saga has been one of the year’s best stories, but it appears the book has been closed.
Opposing defenses seem to have figured the 32-year-old out – particularly the 49ers. The division rivals will be squaring off for the third time this year. The previous two didn’t go well for Smith and the Seahawks.
The ‘Hawks were outscored 48-20 in those contests, with D.K. Metcalf combining for 90 total yards. San Francisco has arguably the best defense in the league and has found a way to make Seattle’s star receiver irrelevant.
The game plan likely won’t change in this one, and Metcalf will be suffocated by San Fran’s secondary once again.
Travis Etienne – Over 15.5 receiving yards
After missing his rookie season with a torn ACL, Travis Etienne has let the world know this year that he was worth the wait.
The 25th overall pick in last year’s draft has been electric for the Jags this season. Etienne averaged an impressive 5.1 YPC this year (1,125) while adding 35 receptions for 316 yards.
The Clemson product has incredible burst and the ability to turn any play into a big gainer. We expect Trevor Lawrence to rely on his dynamic back often in this one.
Etienne averaged 18.6 yards through the air during the season and has 24 or more in three of his last four.
Justin Herbert – Over 280.5 passing yards
One of the league’s best young quarterbacks will finally make his postseason debut on Saturday. Justin Herbert had another terrific season, throwing for 4,739 yards (2nd) and 25 touchdowns.
If the Los Angeles Chargers are going to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend, it’s going to be through the air. The Jags have a stout run defense that should be able to bottle up Austin Ekeler, forcing Herbert’s hand.
When the teams last met in September, the LA pivot put it up a whopping 45 times for 297 yards. The Chargers’ run game was anemic, registering just 34 total yards.
It should be the same script in this one, making the over on 280.5 enticing.
