It would take a herculean effort from Jonathan Taylor for us to have a 2,000-yard rusher in the NFL’s first-ever 18-game season. We actually only have five 1,000-yard rushers heading into Week 18: Taylor, Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Najee Harris, and Dalvin Cook – after having nine last year, which included quarterback Lamar Jackson. As for the running backs who make for the best NFL props this week, here are the top three.
All odds via BetPrep as of 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 6.
Jonathan Taylor Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Prop: Jonathan Taylor Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 105.5 yards (-115)/Under 105.5 yards (-115)
With the Colts facing a must-win scenario to get into the playoffs, now is definitely not the time to jump off the Jonathan Taylor train, which has been rolling along the entire second half of the season.
Last week was his fourth straight 100-yard game, his seventh in his last eight games, and nine of 11. That is as consistent as things get in the NFL, and he has been as close to a sure thing that we have in football.
Jonathan Taylor is lapping the field 👀 pic.twitter.com/5xAnnC6qCp
— PFF (@PFF) January 4, 2022
Taylor went for 116 in his earlier meeting with the Jags, but remember his 253-yard monster day to end the 2020 season? That also came against the Jaguars, a team that just gave up 118 yards to Michael Carter in Week 16 and 107 to Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 17.
No further evidence is needed. Take this OVER.
Editor’s Note: New to NFL props? Check out our complete NFL Props Betting Guide to get up to speed!
Elijah Mitchell Vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Prop: Elijah Mitchell Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 65.5 yards (-114)/Under 65.5 yards (-118)
With 878 yards rushing on the season, rookie Elijah Mitchell is one really good day away from joining the 1,000-yard rushing club. And considering he had 119 last week and has games this year of 133 and 137, it’s not unreasonable to think he might get there.
The Rams haven’t given up many big games this season on the ground, with only one player breaking 80 yards since Week 4. The player who did that was… Elijah Mitchell in Week 10, with 91 yards rushing.
Mitchell is a long shot to get to 122, giving him 1,000, but with a line of 65.5 yards, he’s still a very good bet to go OVER.
Najee Harris Vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Prop: Najee Harris Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 71.5 yards (-115)/Under 71.5 yards (-115)
Even though last week was Ben Roethlisberger’s goodbye to the fans in Pittsburgh, it was the Najee Harris show. He joined the 1,000-yard rushing club, and then some, with 188 yards rushing against the Browns.
No rookie wall for Harris, as it was easily his season-high and the third time in four games that he’s gone over 90 yards.
Harris will once again see a large number of carries in the Week 18 game against the Ravens, and he will once again hit the OVER on the far more modest line of 71.5.
