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King of Props: Riding with Russ

By John Dudley | Last updated 9/12/22

Week 1 of the NFL season concludes with the new Monday Night Football tandem of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling an eagerly anticipated matchup. Longtime Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was famously traded to the Broncos in the offseason, and now he rides back into Seattle looking to settle a score. A particular prop on the returning hero stands out:

The bet: Over 12½ rushing yards for Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (DraftKings)

This line is seemingly based on 2021, when Wilson posted a career-low average of 13.1 yards per game and totaled a paltry 183 yards on the season. But just a year prior, he was picking up 32.1 rushing yards per contest, and he has averaged better than 20 yards on the ground in 8 of his 10 seasons.

New Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett is a former offensive coordinator whose philosophy is to amplify his players’ strengths. “It’s about what Russell does well,” he said in a media session over the summer. He surely won’t try to limit Wilson’s abilities as a playmaker.

Although Wilson will turn 34 this season, he’s still a dual threat who can gain needed yardage with his legs. In each of his previous seasons, he easily topped this number on individual runs. Making his return to the Emerald City, Wilson seems likely to deliver a vintage performance, reminding the “12s” of his elusiveness.

A longtime writer and sports bettor, John Dudley has been dubbed the “King of Props” for his proficiency with proposition wagers. Research is the key that routinely unlocks success, and his selections are always backed by sound reasoning. John can be followed on Twitter @JohnDudley85.

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