King of Props: Pressed into prominence

Although the Bengals and Ravens have faced each other 54 times since the latter entered the league in 1996, Sunday night marks the first playoff meeting between the division rivals. Baltimore won’t have the services of injured former league MVP Lamar Jackson, but backup quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown are both expected to see action. Among a receiving corps that has been ravaged by injuries, one of their better-known targets is the subject of our top prop:

The bet: Over 15½ receiving yards for Ravens wide receiver Sammy Watkins (DraftKings)

Once the fourth overall pick out of Clemson, Watkins has fallen off precipitously since totaling more than 2,000 yards in his first two seasons with the Bills. He got waived by the Packers – his fifth team – a month ago but has made an impactful return to Baltimore, where he spent last season.

In the Week 18 loss to these very Bengals, Watson saw four throws from Brown and caught two of them for 79 yards. He has actually more than doubled this number on every reception of this second stint with the Ravens, as Huntley previously connected with him on a 40-yard bomb.

Watson’s playing time has progressively risen over his three games, with only Demarcus Robinson getting more snaps at wide receiver in each. That trend figures to continue because DeSean Jackson has been released and Tylan Wallace just joined a crowded IR list that includes former starters Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay.

As a veteran vertical threat, Watkins should be able to deliver the over on a single catch.