NFL anytime touchdown prop: Sterling sendoff
For the second straight year, the Eagles and Giants will square off in Week 18. These longtime NFC East foes actually met twice in January 2023, with the regular-season finale being a prelude to a playoff matchup. Both of those games were hosted and won by Philadelphia — the eventual conference champion — and though the Eagles are the only team advancing to the postseason this time around, today’s tilt at the Meadowlands means a lot for the subject of this high-value touchdown prop:
The bet: Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard to score a TD (+1200 Bally’s)
The 40th overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2016, Shepard started every game as a rookie and began a streak of catching more than 55 passes in five straight seasons. But significant injuries, including Achilles and ACL tears, have unfortunately plagued his eight-year career.
Limited to 20 receptions over the last two seasons, Shepard is likely participating in his final game. He has said he’d rather retire than play anywhere else, so taking the field at MetLife Stadium holds special significance. He figures to be schemed open a few times by coach Brian Daboll, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor could look to find him in the end zone the way Eli Manning and Daniel Jones often did.
Shepard’s lone touchdown this season came on a 2-yard fade from Tommy DeVito late in a blowout loss at Dallas. His fourth career score against the rival Cowboys fittingly happened in his last game against them. Now Shepard plays his swan song at home against the only opponent he has victimized more frequently (five TDs).
A Giants legend deserves to hear the adulation of the Big Blue faithful one last time.
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