NFL player prop: Unmotivated slated to be faded

The first NFL action of 2024 gets underway on Saturday afternoon in Baltimore when the Ravens host the Steelers to kick off Week 18. This AFC North rivalry has traditionally been one of the fiercest around, but since the home side has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the conference, several players are being rested for the playoffs. Among those sitting out is likely league MVP Lamar Jackson, and his replacement merits our backing for top prop:

The bet: Under 165½ passing yards for Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (FanDuel)

A four-year veteran out of Utah, Huntley can actually lay claim to being a Pro Bowler. Due to injuries and unavailability, he was embarrassingly included on the AFC squad last year despite playing in just five regular-season games and not throwing for 200 yards in any of them.

Now Huntley makes his first start of this season in conditions that are far from ideal. First, the Steelers will be highly motivated because they need a victory (and some help) to earn a playoff spot. And second, the weather forecast calls for a wintry mix of rain and snow, with winds gusting in excess of 20 miles per hour.

Pittsburgh is easily the team most familiar with Huntley, having faced him in three previous games. He looked like a very pedestrian passer each time, posting yardage totals of 141, 130 and 88. It should also be noted that wind was never the slightest factor.

Operating a run-centric offense missing tight end Mark Andrews and wideouts Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr., Huntley will execute a conservative game plan that should keep him under this number.