NFL player prop: Monty flexes his pythons

After earning their first two playoff victories in 32 years, the Lions stand on the precipice of history. If they can go on the road and find a way to beat the top-seeded 49ers as touchdown underdogs, the reward will be the inaugural Super Bowl appearance for an often-woeful franchise. This game marks Detroit’s first time playing outdoors since losing to the Bears on Dec. 10, and a man who began his pro career on that team is the subject of our top prop:

The bet: Over 5½ receiving yards for Lions running back David Montgomery (FanDuel)

In his four years with Chicago, Montgomery averaged a robust 20.7 receiving yards per game. But that figure dropped to 8.4 this season, largely due to sharing the backfield with dynamic rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.

However, Montgomery has comfortably cleared this number in each of the Lions’ two playoff games. He gained 11 yards on his lone reception versus the Rams and made three catches for 14 in the divisional win over the Buccaneers. It’s clear that he’s the more trusted back in pass protection, and Jared Goff should be checking down to him in the face of the strong San Francisco pass rush.

The 49ers generated pressure at the seventh-highest rate this season, forcing opposing quarterbacks into making quick decisions with the ball. In their only previous game against a conference finalist, they allowed a combined 70 receiving yards to the Ravens’ duo of Gus Edwards and Justice Hill (the other player we’re backing).

While Gibbs is likely to produce more yards through the air, Montgomery can get us home on a single play.