Now that we’re down to the NFL Conference Championships, Bovada is offering more prop betting markets. This week you can bet on TV ratings, over/under on the decibel level in the 49ers vs. Seahawks match-up plus various other interesting prop bets.
Who Will Have the Most Passing Yards?
- Peyton Manning (-150)
- Tom Brady (+200)
- Colin Kaepernick (+600)
- Russell Wilson (+600)
Russell Wilson has struggled passing during the playoffs and that is unlikely to change much against the SF secondary. He only picked up 103 passing yards against the Saints. I’m also going to eliminate Tom Brady based on the fact that NE is rushing the football more.
Peyton Manning is a deserving favorite after throwing for 230 passing yards against the Chargers. The Patriots defense is one of the worst teams in the NFL at stopping the run (134.1 RYPG – 30th) and I have a feeling that Denver will run the football a lot.
I’m going to take a shot on Kaepernick at 6/1 odds after the way he looked against the Panthers who have a great secondary. Seattle ranks #1 in passing yards allowed, but Kaepernick is going to have to air it out in order to give his team a chance at winning.
Who Will Have the Most Rushing Yards?
- Marshawn Lynch (+120)
- Knowshon Moreno (+250)
- LeGarette Blount (+275)
- Frank Gore (+400)
Last week we hit with Lynch, but that was because Blount wasn’t apart of the market last week. This week I’m eliminating Gore from consideration right away. Gore has averaged 75 RYPG in two playoff games and this will be the toughest run defense he has faced.
The other three RB’s will contend for the top spot and it’s hard to predict who will come out on top. Moreno only ended up with 82 last week because Montee Ball was getting quite a few carries and I expect that to continue, so I won’t be betting on Knowshon.
Between Blount and Lynch I’m betting on Lynch again this week. Both the Niners (95.9 RYPG – 4th) and Broncos (101.6 RYPG – 8th) have great run stopping units. Lynch is going to get a ton of carries and I expect NE to run the football less than they did last week.
Who Will Have the Most Receiving Yards
- Demariyus Thomas (+350)
- Julian Edelman (+400)
- Anquan Boldin (+450)
- Eric Decker (+550)
- Michael Crabtree (+550)
- Wes Welker (+600)
- Golden Tate (+900)
- Percy Harvin (+900)
This is a tough market because one big pass play can make a huge difference. I feel that Manning spreads the football around too much and that’ll hurt the chances of Thomas, Decker and Welker. Julius Thomas led DEN in receiving yards against SD.
I don’t think the Niners or Seahawks will throw for a lot of passing yards in their game, as I expect the defenses to takeover and keep the WR’s in check for the most part. I feel the player with the most value is Edelman, as he’s going to easily have the most targets.
Brady trusts Edelman more than anyone else on that offense right now and last week Brady targeted him 9X. Edelman hauled in 6 catches for 84 yards including two plays of 20+ yards, so he has the potential to make a big play downfield when in single coverage.
AFC & NFC Single Player Prop Bets
- Bet LeGarette Blount Over 72.5 Rushing Yards (-125)
Blount has been running the football very well in the Patriots last two games. I don’t expect another 150+ rushing yards from him on the Broncos run defense, which ranks 8th (101.6 RYPG), but he should be able to rush for close to 100 yards if he gets 20+ carries.
- Bet Peyton Manning Under 320.5 Passing Yards (-105)
Manning only had 230 passing yards against the Chargers and he completed 69.4% of his pass attempts (25/36). The Pats rank 18th against the pass (239 PYPG). They allowed 317 passing yards against IND, but that was mainly because the Colts had to air it out.
- Bet Colin Kaepernick Over 35.5 Rushing Yards (-125)
Kaepernick has had some success running in the playoffs already and he also has had success against Seattle. This total is low and I expect Kaepernick to have much closer to 50 rushing yards, which leaves us quite a bit of wiggle room on this prop bet.