NFL player prop: Musgrave experiences a resurrection

For four consecutive postseasons in the ’90s, Brett Favre and the Packers battled with Steve Young and the 49ers. Now the cadence has become every even-numbered January, but Green Bay and San Francisco are set to meet in the playoffs for the third time in five years. As this revitalized rivalry welcomes a pair of new starting quarterbacks — Jordan Love and Brock Purdy — an even newer participant deserves our support for top prop:

The bet: Over 17½ receiving yards for Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (FanDuel)

A second-round pick out of Oregon State, Musgrave began the season as a starter and recorded three catches for 50 yards in the opener. He cleared this number in eight of his first 10 games before a lacerated kidney sidelined him for the next six.

After being eased into action in the regular-season finale, Musgrave saw a larger role in the wild-card upset of the Cowboys. He caught all three of his targets for 50 yards, including a 38-yard score that put Green Bay in front by 25. Although he was on the field for just 27% of the offensive snaps, his playing time should continue to grow.

The plucky Packers find themselves as underdogs of more than a touchdown for the second straight week. They don’t figure to be nursing a big lead like they were against Dallas, when Love threw just five times in the second half. And the middling San Francisco pass defense has allowed some big games to opposing tight ends, headlined by a 10-catch, 102-yard effort from the Cardinals’ Trey McBride.

Look for Musgrave to continue his rise.