NFL Week 9 'TNF' player props: Targeting WRs at plus-money
NFL Week 9 begins with the Tennessee Titans visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it's a game that seems inviting for some receiving props. It's there we stay as we load up a pair of receivers from both sides, each at plus-money.
Diontae Johnson over 56.5 receiving yards (+130 DraftKings w/ 50% boost)
The Tennessee secondary popped up for me a few times this week. First, as a receptions target, seeing as the Titans are allowing the third-most receptions per game to WRs this season at 15.7/game.
Then, simply for yardage. Tennessee has allowed the ninth-most 20+ yard passes per game and the fourth-highest yards per pass attempt.
As such, I need a Pittsburgh wideout. I considered George Pickens to haul in a long catch, but with Diontae Johnson back in the fold, his volume is just too good to ignore.
Johnson has 20 targets over his past two games since returning, including 14 last week. Kenny Pickett is playing this week after suffering a rib injury that forced him out of this past Sunday's game. Before Pickett went out, he targeted Johnston 10 times, all of which came in the first half.
You have to love seeing that workload, especially against this opponent.
By all means, consider Johnson's reception line, it's plus-money at 5.5. Instead, I'm drawn to his yardage.
In the two full games Johnson has played this year, he's finished with 79 and 85 yards. Let's say he catches 5+ balls tonight. When he does see that work, Johnson has averaged 66.7 receiving yards per game over the past two seasons, including six straight games of 60+ yards.
Bring on the targets.
DeAndre Hopkins 60+ receiving yards (+115 DK)
DeAndre Hopkins is currently questionable to play with a toe injury, but I'm working under the assumption he's playing in this one. If he doesn't, this play would of course void.
Hopkins is fresh off a monster game in which he caught four balls for 128 yards and three touchdowns, the first start with Will Levis. Levis is starting again in this one, and I expect these two to continue looking to build on their Week 8 performance.
It's an ideal opponent to do so against. Pittsburgh ranks inside the top-10 for most 20+ yard passes allowed, yards per pass attempt and total passing yards allowed per game. They've had a string of top wide receivers cash in on big games against them this season.
Calvin Ridley had 83 last week. Puka Nacua had 154 two weeks prior. Zay Flowers had 73 the game before that, and Nico Collins had 168 in the game before that. Should I keep going? Ok. Davante Adams finished with 172 in Week 3, Amari Cooper had 90 in Week 2 and Brandon Aiyuk piled up 129 to start the season.
So, yeah, that's every week.
Hopkins has finished with 63, 140, 20 and 128 yards over his last four games. Rather than drink a bit of juice on his 52.5 line, I'm just going to move him up to 60+ at plus-money, and I very well might ladder him up to 70 and 80+ as well.
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