Unless you could somehow combine chicken wings, pizza and Megan Fox, there are few things better in life than combining fantasy football with NFL betting.
Books like Sportstbook.com regularly post fantasy props for individual player stats entering an NFL weekend. Let’s try our hand at a few intriguing Week 1 bets. Note that any player must suit up for the wager to qualify.
Tom Brady: Total touchdown passes vs Bengals
Over 1.5: -220
Under 1.5: +170
Free pick: Over 1.5. Some bettors will take the under because the Bengals are tough opponent but I’ll take the over for that same reason. The Bengals will get their points on offense against a depleted Pats defense, meaning Brady will have to throw plenty.
Chris Johnson: Total rushing yards vs Raiders
Over 110.5: -130
Under 110.5: Even
Free pick: Over 110.5. Chris Johnson is a great receiving threat too but Oakland plays above-average pass defense. The Titans should keep the ball on the ground and hand off to Chris Johnson 25 times.
Calvin Johnson: Will he score a touchdown vs Bears?
Yes: +140
No: -180
Free pick: Yes. I expect a surprising shootout between the Lions and Bears and I’m not convinced any Chicago defender can handle Johnson in the red zone (or deep for that matter).
Rashard Mendenhall: Total rushing attempts vs Falcons
Over 20.5: -120
Under 20.5: Even
Free pick: Over 20.5. As long as Ben Roethlisberger is out, I’d bet this line on Mendenhall every week. The Steelers need him and he should play every down. He’ll be a horse; he could even lead the NFL in carries this year.
Kevin Kolb: What will he throw first vs Packers?
Touchdown pass: -135
Interception: +105
Free pick: Interception. Kolb should have a big year in Andy Reid’s system but he’s still a guy who makes plenty of mistakes. Against a ball-hawk secondary like Green Bay’s, which had a ton of takeaways last season, Kolb may start shakily and throw a pick.
Sam Bradford: What will his first pass be?
Completion: -135
Incompletion: +105
Free pick: Completion. The kid looks poised and NFL ready. It only seems appropriate that he’d be unfazed on his first career dropback and throw a perfect ball to someone. Bradford’s name should pop up on this sports betting blog for years to come.