Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions Player Props (10/17/21)

Bengals fans may feel hard done by Evan McPhearson’s two missed field goals on Sunday, including one potential game-winner he thought he made and celebrated, but nearly beating the Packers in overtime was no easy feat, and it should be praised. The Lions have also had some close calls against good teams in recent weeks but are still searching for their first win of the season. Will it come this week? That’s for you to decide to bet, but the following are some of my favorite prop bets for the upcoming matchup.

Ja’Marr Chase Longest Reception Over 26.5 Yards

I’ve written these player props articles for a handful of Week 6 and have yet to come across a prop that immediately stood out as much as this one. Ja’Marr Chase is having an incredible rookie season. He has made every defense he’s played against look silly with a reception of at least 34 yards in every game this season – he’s averaging 19.8 yards per reception. Per Sharp Football Stats, the Lions are allowing explosive pass plays on 15% of opponents’ passes, the highest rate in the NFL. Football Outsiders ranks Detroit as the sixth-worst pass defense in the NFL. Ja’Marr Chase will feast in this matchup, and this line will look downright silly in hindsight.

Tyler Boyd Over 4.5 Receptions

Just because you’re betting on Ja’Marr Chase doesn’t mean you can’t also bet on Tyler Boyd, and I’m comfortable betting on both receivers to have big games given the matchup. Joe Mixon is still dealing with an ankle injury, and Samaje Perine has been ruled out after being added to the COVID-19 Injured Reserve. With the running back position weakened, I’m projecting Joe Burrow’s passing attempts to be higher than usual. Boyd should be heavily utilized as a short-area outlet against a weak defense. Boyd has seen over 4.5 receptions in just two of five games this year, but my projection has more to do with forward-thinking than past success.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Over 4.5 Receptions and Over 53.5 Receiving Yards

Over the past two weeks, Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as a full-time player for the Lions, and he has played on 70.5% of the team’s snaps over that period. The Lions are still without Tyrell Williams as he remains on Injured Reserve, and Quintez Cephus has now joined him with a broken collarbone that will likely end his season. St. Brown has seen eight targets in each of the team’s last two games, and Jared Goff has spoken highly of him, saying he should be more involved in the offense. The Bengals have been surprisingly effective as a pass defense – Football Outsiders ranks them 12th in pass defense DVOA – but St. Brown’s involvement should continue to trend up.

Tee Higgins Under 60.5 Receiving Yards

There has to be one odd man out in the Bengals’ passing offense, right? Tee Higgins has yet to make a significant impact this season, and two touchdowns in the first two weeks of the year overshadow what has been a lesser role for him in the wake of Ja’Marr Chase’s full-fledged breakout into an elite NFL wide receiver. Higgins is not a bad player by any stretch, and against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, he could have a massive game without much involvement. However, I’m betting on snap trends to continue, and Higgins was far outpaced last week as he was only on the field for 70% of snaps compared to 91% for Chase and 82% for Boyd.