The Steelers are alive thanks to a last-second victory against the Ravens. The Vikings are the league’s joke after losing to the Lions. Both teams are in desperate need of a win on Thursday night. Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing NFL player props within this matchup.
All odds courtesy of BetPrep, updated 6 a.m. ET on Dec. 8.
Ben Roethlisberger Vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Prop: Ben Roethlisberger Passing Yards
The Odds: Over 247.5 yards (-115)/Under 247.5 yards (-115)
Betting the over on Ben Roethlisberger’s passing yards has been the ultimate coin toss. He seems to hit one week and then miss the next. So if that pattern continues, he’s due for another OVER this week against the Vikings.
That’s not a great reason to think he’ll go over, but this is: the Vikings are not good against the pass, as evidenced by the 296 yards allowed to Jared Goff last week.
But Goff is just the tip of the iceberg. Aaron Rodgers and Kyler Murray going for big yardage against the Vikes isn’t surprising. However, Cooper Rush, Russell Wilson, and Lamar Jackson have also gone for more yards than 247.5 yards against Minnesota, which is the number Roethlisberger needs to hit the over.
Against this porous Vikings defense that has taken a hit to the pass rush, I’m saying to take Ben and the OVER.
Editor’s Note: Looking for more NFL Player Props from this game? Josh Shepardson runs through his favorite props for Underdog Fantasy, which is legal in most non-betting states!
Justin Jefferson Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Prop: Justin Jefferson Receiving Yards
The Odds: Over 90.5 yards (-116)/Under 90.5 yards (-114)
He is as good a wide receiver anywhere in the NFL. And despite the conventional wisdom that without Adam Thielen on the field, defenses could focus on Justin Jefferson and slow him down, he went for 182 yards last week, with Thielen missing most of the game.
Justin Jefferson went OFF this week!
Who had him??
(@GEICO) pic.twitter.com/2CQ8QaQdZV
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) December 6, 2021
Thielen is still out with a high ankle sprain, meaning that Jefferson will once again be asked to carry the offense. It’s a role he can easily handle. Over the last four weeks, Jefferson has received 44 targets, and he caught 32 passes for 577 yards.
Jefferson has been cruising, and the Steelers don’t do great against top wide receivers. Tee Higgins went for 114 two weeks ago. Three weeks ago, Keenan Allen had 112 yards, and Mike Willams had 97.
It doesn’t matter that the Pittsburgh defense knows where the ball is going. Jefferson is in line for another big game.
Najee Harris Vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Prop: Najee Harris Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 67.5 yards (-118)/Under 67.5 yards (-114)
From a volume of use standpoint, Najee Harris has been one of the most valuable rookies in the NFL this season. His 217 carries this season is 52 more than second-place Elijah Mitchell. Harris has also caught 57 passes, pushing his total touches up to 274.
But from an efficiency standpoint, the yards just aren’t there. Harris is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and 6.8 yards per catch. But even so, the Steelers will try to lean on him again on Thursday night, and the Vikings’ defense has struggled against the run.
Minnesota ranks 29th in the league in rush defense, and Harris should have a good game.
