Player prop betting remains one of the most popular ways to wager on the NFL at sportsbooks such as DraftKings, and the Week 9 board offers plenty of options. Sunday's schedule features 13 games, with props available for marquee matchups including Broncos vs. Patriots, Cowboys vs. Colts, Packers vs. Patriots and Raiders vs. 49ers.
One of the headline names on this week's prop board is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who has played his way into the MVP conversation with a hot start that includes 15 touchdown passes across seven games. His over/under for passing yards on Sunday is set at 245.5, with the over priced at -114 at DraftKings, meaning a bettor would risk $114 to win $100.
Purdy has gone over that posted total in four of his past six games, and the matchup works in his favor. Las Vegas is allowing 381.9 yards per game, which ranks 30th in the NFL. Just last week, Jets quarterback Geno Smith threw for 290 yards against the Raiders, an encouraging sign for Purdy, who is averaging 266.5 passing yards over four home games this season. The SportsLine Projection Model forecasts Purdy at an average of 268.9 passing yards against Las Vegas.
On the other side of the ledger, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is a candidate to stay under his posted total of 64.5 receiving yards. Collins is coming off his worst performance of the season, managing just two catches for six yards in Houston's 27-21 loss to the Giants on Oct. 25. He has been held to 56 or fewer receiving yards in two of his last three games.
The challenge does not get easier on Sunday against the Chargers. Despite a winless 0-7 record, Los Angeles has been stout against the pass, surrendering 198.4 passing yards per game, the seventh-fewest in the league. The SportsLine Projection Model projects Collins to finish with an average of 45.1 receiving yards, well below his prop total.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix rounds out the featured picks, with the recommendation leaning toward the under on his 32.5 pass attempts against the Carolina Panthers. Nix has attempted 29 or fewer passes in three of his last four games, and Denver's offense may lean on its productive ground attack in this matchup.
Carolina presents an interesting split defensively. The Panthers own a top-10 pass defense, limiting opponents to 208.9 passing yards per game, but their run defense ranks 30th in the NFL while giving up 140.7 rushing yards per contest. That combination could push Denver toward the run game. The SportsLine Projection Model has Nix finishing with 28.9 pass attempts on Sunday.
As always, sportsbooks encourage customers to wager responsibly, and the leading operators provide tools such as wager limits and voluntary self-exclusion options on their apps and websites. Anyone dealing with a gambling problem can seek help from trained professionals through resources such as the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-GAMBLER.
