Do you feel like a sharp football fan? Does winning money sound appealing to you? Of course! Thankfully, Underdog Fantasy offers sports fans many gaming options such as best ball fantasy drafts and pick ’em NFL props challenges. As for the initial question posed, I’m here to help sharpen your football acumen by utilizing several helpful resources such as BetPrep projections to topple the over/under and rivals picks.
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- Create an account on Underdog Fantasy.
- Use the promo code PROPS to claim an extra $10 on your first deposit.
- Go to the Pick’em Games.
- Make two or more selections to receive a correlated payout of 3x, 6x, 10x, or 20x.
It’s pretty fun, and Underdog Fantasy is available in most states except for the following: Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana, Montana, Washington, Delaware, and Iowa.
Now, let’s take a look at my favorite Underdog Fantasy NFL props for Sunday’s Conference Championship Round contests.
Ja’Marr Chase OVER 87.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Ja’Marr Chase was the star of the first matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs. The electrifying rookie had an NFL 2021 season-high 266 receiving yards, 60 more than the next-closest total this year. Understandably, according to Pro Football Focus, Chase has the largest matchup advantage against the cornerbacks he is projected to face.
Chase has been locked in lately, too. In his last four meaningful games — excluding a Week 18 game he played only five snaps — Chase has posted scrimmage yardage totals of 125, 266, 139, and 111. Interestingly, he has three carries and one carry in the two contests in the playoffs. Thus, Zac Taylor has been creatively getting him the football.
Moreover, he’s dominating the passing-game usage in a pass-heavy attack. According to Sharp Football Stats, in neutral game scripts, the Bengals pass at the ninth-highest rate (59%). Further, according to Pro Football Focus, in Joe Burrow’s last four starts, Chase has been first on the Bengals in routes (173), targets (39), receptions (32), and receiving yards (616). Nonetheless, Bet Prep projects Chase for a modest 81.03 receiving yards. However, I’m more optimistic. Additionally, even one rush attempt might be enough to push him over his scrimmage yards prop. So, I’ll take the over on 87.5 rushing plus receiving yards.
Editor’s Note: New to NFL props? Check out our complete NFL Props Betting Guide to get up to speed!
Joe Mixon OVER 30.5 Receiving Yards
Chase hasn’t been the only player surging in Cincinnati’s pass-happy offense down the stretch. Joe Mixon often ceded passing-game work to Samaje Perine throughout the regular season. However, there has been a seismic shift in the backfield receiving usage. In Mixon’s previous four games, he’s run 107 routes versus only 35 for Perine.
In addition, Mixon has been an active member of the passing game. The versatile veteran running back has been targeted 26 times, hauling in 23 receptions for 189 yards. During that four-game stretch, Mixon has eclipsed 30.5 receiving yards three times, totaling 28 yards in the outlier contest he fell short.
Additionally, he had 40 receiving yards on seven receptions against the Chiefs in Week 17. The Chiefs surrendering receiving yards to running backs isn’t an oddity, either. According to Pro-Football-Reference, the Chiefs allowed the third-most receiving yards to running backs, at a per-game average of 52.18 yards. As the primary receiving back for the Bengals now, Mixon is positioned well to go over 30.5 receiving yards.
Cam Akers UNDER 59.5 Rushing Yards
Cam Akers’ return from Achilles surgery within the same year has been nothing short of astonishing. I don’t want to take anything away from his return. However, he hasn’t been efficient. Akers’ best yards per rush attempt in the three games he’s played has been 3.24 Y/A.
According to Pro Football Focus, only one of his 22 rush attempts has gone for more than 10 yards. He has also had just four forced missed tackles as a runner. Perhaps most damming, even as a workhorse back in both playoff games, he’s rushed for 55 yards and 48 yards, respectively.
Now, he has his most challenging matchup on the ground. According to Football Outsiders, the San Francisco 49ers are second in rush defense Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA). Comparatively, the Arizona Cardinals are sixth in rush defense DVOA, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 12th in rush defense DVOA. In addition, San Francisco allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards (1,303) at a ghastly 3.57 yards per rush attempt in the regular season.
Akers has an uphill battle to rushing for more than 59.5 yards, even if he is still the unquestioned top back for the Los Angeles Rams. However, there are reasons to believe he might cede work to others. First, last week, Akers had two inexcusable fumbles that might land him in the doghouse. Second, Darrell Henderson Jr. was designated to return from the Injured Reserve last week, opening the door to a return this week. Still, even if Henderson is out, Sony Michel lurks as an option to feed the rock if Sean McVay doesn’t trust Akers after last week’s fumble issues. As a result, Bet Prep projects Akers for 58.93 rushing yards.
