We asked our Props analyst, Justin Bales, to come up with his best NFL ladder bets for Week 18. Let’s dive into the top NFL betting picks today.
If you’re not familiar with this kind of play, a ladder bet is essentially betting on a prop at multiple lines with the odds getting progressively larger the further up the ladder you go.
Top NFL Prop Sites in New York
Don’t Look Down – NFL Week 18 Saturday Ladder Bets
We’ve done the research for you here and below we’ll dive into all of the rationale for our best NFL ladder bets for Week 18.
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Pat Freiermuth Receiving Yards Ladder
We cashed in on the Freiermuth ladder on Christmas, and I’m going back to the well here. He’s found success this season, posting 57 receptions for 568 yards and 6 touchdowns on 64 targets. He topped out at 68 receiving yards in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Freiermuth will face off against Cincinnati again this week. They feature one of the worst defenses in the league against tight ends, allowing the third-most receiving yards (64.3) per game to the position. The Bengals are also allowing a league-high 8.4 targets and 6.4 receptions to tight ends.
Freiermuth hasn’t flashed quite the same upside as last year, where he recorded 120 yards on 9 receptions against Cincinnati. In 2022, two of his best three games came against the Bengals, posting 75 and 79 receiving yards.
Normally I don’t care about narratives of certain players liking to play against certain teams, but I’m fine with it if that team is also terrible against that position. Keep in mind, Freiermuth did have a 0-catch game against Cincinnati last season, but that feels like a major outlier at this point.
What to play: Pat Freiermuth 40+ receiving yards through 80+ receiving yards
Ja’Marr Chase Receiving Yards Ladder
Chase continues to enjoy an elite season for the Cincinnati Bengals. He boasts 117 receptions for 1,612 yards and 16 touchdowns on 158 targets. He’s also broken 120 receiving yards in three games, missing once with 118.
I debated between Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, and Chase, and I believe all three make solid options in this matchup. I opted for Chase because of his ability to move around the lineup, allowing Cincinnati to pick his matchup. He’s also a big-play threat, and the Steelers have consistently struggled with big plays to receivers.
Here are some of the long receptions Pittsburgh has given up over the last few weeks:
- Xavier Worthy (21 yards)
- Justin Watson (49)
- Zay Flowers (49, 23)
- AJ Brown (21)
- Devonta Smith (22)
- Jerry Jeudy (35, 26)
- Elijah Moore (20)
- Ja’Marr Chase (49)
- Tee Higgins (31)
- Cedric Tillman (24)
These are all since Week 11. Chase has consistently found big plays in his games, and he has the ability to complete half of this ladder with one reception. It isn’t the most likely scenario, but it’s always there.
It’s also important to note that this game is a must-win for Cincinnati to have any chance at making the playoffs. In these types of games, teams tend to feed their best players. Chase should be peppered with targets, and he comes with as much upside as any wide receiver playing this weekend.
What to Bet: Ja’Marr Chase 90+ receiving yards through 120+ receiving yards
