King of Props: Tony gets awarded a larger share

Between the 1992 and 1994 postseasons, Troy Aikman’s Cowboys and Steve Young’s 49ers competed in the NFC Championship Game three straight times. These marquee franchises then didn’t face each other in a playoff game again until last year’s wild-card round, when San Francisco earned a 23-17 road win. As Dallas tries to turn the tables at Levi’s Stadium tonight, a rising star merits our support for top prop:

The bet: Over 18½ receiving yards for Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (FanDuel)

Despite backing up a clearly inferior Ezekiel Elliott for most of the season, Pollard has been positively explosive when given opportunities. He has scored nine touchdowns of 10 yards or more, with his longest being a 68-yarder on a pass from Dak Prescott.

Thankfully, the Cowboys’ backfield usage seems to have shifted, with Elliott largely being used as an early-down plodder. He is unlikely to gain much ground against San Francisco’s second-ranked run defense. In the wild-card win over the Buccaneers, Pollard played 40 offensive snaps (versus 33 for Elliott) and handled the highest percentage of touches for a contest that featured both players.

Over the last five games of the regular season, the 49ers allowed eight opposing running backs to top 20 receiving yards. The list includes deep reserves like the Seahawks’ Travis Homer, the Commanders’ Jonathan Williams, and the Cardinals’ Corey Clement.

With A-level talent and a prominent role in the passing game, Pollard looks primed to produce.