NFL Week 18 player props: Expect Austin Ekeler to torch Raiders in pivotal game
We are feeling good in Week 18, despite Michael Gallup's injury and just a few less than his total received yard props last Sunday. Let's build our 2-1 record last week as we finish the regular season today. If you're looking to punch a little hole in some player prop bets, I've done all the work for you here.
There are a lot of playoff implications in this NFC West showdown. The Rams have a playoff berth that is all but closed and can still win the division. The 49ers would either have to win or the Saints would have to lose in order to secure a place in the playoffs. San Francisco has won five straight over Los Angeles, but we want to zero in on Cooper Kupp's total received yard prop here.
Kupp has been consistent throughout the season for Los Angeles. The 28-year-old receiver is well on his way to earning the NFL's Triple Crown. Kupp leads the league in catches, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. He's coming against Baltimore last Sunday to grab six passes for 95 yards and a touchdown on seven goals. Kupp redeemed the Niners in Week 10 in San Francisco. LA's No. 1 receiver captured 13 goals in 11 balls for 122 yards.
His average per game is flat-out ridiculous. Kupp is getting 8.63 receptions, 11.50 goals and an attractive 114.31 receiving yards per competition. Matthew Stafford's favorite target averages 13.25 yards per reception. Kupp also averages 13.2 yards per catch at Sophie Stadium this season. Let's dive into some of their advanced metrics that are well above the league average. Kupp averages 94.9 air yards per game and is scoring 32.3 percent of Rams' team goals. The 28-year-old has been running for 0.06 yards per route this season.
Meanwhile, the 49ers covered 66 yards at seven receptions from Houston's Brandin Cook last week. Cook is the only offensive threat on the Texans and still had a good day against a Niners team that was in a win. San Francisco has had trouble closing wide receivers throughout the season, and that hasn't changed recently. The 49ers have allowed WRs 682 receiving yards in their last four weeks which is 26th in the NFL in that time period. San Fran has surrendered 8.97 yards per goal to WR in the past four weeks which is the 29th in the NFL.
The Pick: I know Cooper is the square bear pick to take on Kupp, but with Odell Beckham Jr.'s better play of late, the 49ers just can't seem to focus on stopping Kupp. Take the NFL's best receiver to go -130 on his total of 116.5.
The Raiders host the Chargers at Allegiant Stadium in the final regular season game of the NFL season, with the prize for the playoff berth winner. Las Vegas has won three straight by four points or less and could also enter the playoffs if both Indianapolis and Pittsburgh lose. Los Angeles can only win with a win or a tie. Playoff scenarios are always fun, but we want to take a closer look at Austin Eckeler's total running yards and total prop receiving yards for this game.
Eckeler is fresh with 17 carries for 58 yards and one touchdown to go with three catches for 54 yards in last Sunday's 34-13 win over Denver while dealing with illness. He averages 56.47 rushing yards per game and 4.66 yards per carry this season. He also averages 2.5 yards after contact and 17.0 touches per game. Both of those metrics are above the league average. The running back LA also opened fire to the Raiders for 117 rushing yards on 15 carriages in Week 4.
Eckeller with 612 yards receiving is the top of the running back this season. His 65 receptions ranks third for an RB in the NFL. Eckeler averages 7.5 yards per goal this season on 82 goals with an average of 9.42 yards per reception. The 26-year-old running back averages 0.23 air yards per snap this year, well above the league average. He also had three receptions for 28 yards on five goals against Las Vegas in 4 matchups that week.
Meanwhile, the Raiders continue to struggle to stop the run. Las Vegas has surrendered 1528 rushing yards in 2021 to the running back who ranks 27th in the NFL. The Raiders also conceded 4.24 yards per carry to RB who are ranked 15th in the league. Vegas has allowed 122.9 runs per game at home this season to finish 22nd overall.
The Raiders have racked up 349 receiving yards in the past eight weeks to rank 30 in the NFL over that time period. Las Vegas has surrendered 55 receptions and 5.63 yards per goal to RB over the past eight weeks, ranking 30th and 20th respectively in the league.
