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Saturday Football
It took an extra week this season but we’ve finally made it to the end of the regular season. The NFL gave us a little two-game appetizer to open Week 18, and we need some props to make these two games a little more interesting. I’m taking Patrick Mahomes (KC) under 285.5 passing yards (105 pts) for my first prop of the week. Mahomes has finished with 260 or fewer yards in five of the last six games, including 184 yards against the Broncos in Week 13. Denver is allowing just 226.0 passing yards per game to QBs this season and Vic Fangio’s defense held Mahomes 6.3 YPA in Week 13. I’ll be fading the Eagles’ key offensive players in Saturday’s nightcap, including Jalen Hurts (Phi) under 245.5 passing and rushing yards (110 pts). It’s yet to be seen if Hurts will even suit up for this game and, if he does, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets pulled after a couple of series since the Eagles are locked into either the #6 or #7 seed in the playoffs. Good luck! — Tom Brolley
Sunday Football
We did it! It’s the final Sunday of the season and the schedule is packed to the gills with 14 games on the slate. As is the case with the final week of the season every year, be cognizant of playing situations across the league — our Graham Barfield already did the heavy lifting for you. The Bengals announced that Joe Burrow wouldn’t play earlier this week so I’m taking Ja’Marr Chase (CIN) under 83.5 receiving yards (100 pts). The rookie WR is a key piece for the Bengals heading into the playoffs, and HC Zac Taylor could look to pull him early in this game to avoid putting him at risk for injury. The Chargers and Raiders are playing in a win-and-get-in game on Sunday Night Football, and I’m eyeing Austin Ekeler (LAC) over 70.5 rushing and receiving yards (75 pts). Ekeler posted season-highs in rushing yards (117) and scrimmage yards (145) when these teams met in Week 4, and he’s averaging 97.3 scrimmage yards per game this season. Good luck! — Tom Brolley
Thriving it up for Week 18, with a homer pick of David Montgomery over 80.5 rushing yards (110 pts). Minnesota gives up the 6th most rushing yards per game this year, and with Montgomery rushing for 21-22 attempts in three of his last five games I feel the opportunity for a good rushing day is there. Before his injury, two of his four games played went for over 100 yards rushing. Since the BYE he has not necessarily rushed the greatest but I am buying in on his volume and the matchup. Odell Beckham Jr. will be the player for my next pick. In OBJ’s six games since the BYE, four of his games have been 4+ catch days. OBJ has had nine catches across the last two games with 15 total targets in these two. His targets, catches and overall play bring me confidence in selecting Odell Beckham Jr. over 3.5 receptions (95 pts). Go make that money.
- Nick Skrip
