'TNF' best bet: Washington QB Sam Howell commands this SGP

Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season kicks off with a dispiriting matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears on "Thursday Night Football." Is it an enticing matchup we can't wait to watch? Not exactly. But can we make it enticing by crafting a plus-money Same Game Parlay with our friends at FanDuel? You know it.

Let's spice up a rather dull "TNF" matchup with a +457 winner, shall we?

'Thursday Night Football' SGP

Sam Howell 200+ passing yards

The Bears haven't been good across the board through four weeks, but they've been especially putrid against the pass. Chicago is giving up the second-most yards per pass attempt in the NFL (8.4), and all four quarterbacks they've faced finished with at least 223 passing yards. Sam Howell has gone over 200 passing yards in three of his four starts this season, and he should feast against this Bears secondary.
 
Justin Fields over 189.5 passing yards

Justin Fields was more of a rusher than a passer last season, but his passing attempts per game are up from 21.2 last year to 30.8 this year. He's gone over 189.5 passing yards in three of his four starts this season, and the Commanders defense is much worse against the pass than it is against the run.  

Terry McLaurin 50+ receiving yards

Over the last three weeks, the Bears gave up 52 receiving yards to Jerry Jeudy, 69 receiving yards to Travis Kelce and 171 receiving yards to Mike Evans. Terry McLaurin is just starting to gel with Howell, as he notched season-high marks in targets (10), catches (eight) and receiving yards (86) last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. He should cruise over 50 yards.  

Brian Robinson Jr. anytime touchdown scorer

Brian Robinson Jr. has a stranglehold on this backfield after splitting time with Antonio Gibson last season. He's scored four touchdowns through the first four weeks of the season and is Washington's favorite red-zone weapon. The Commanders should spend plenty of time near the goal line against this defense, so Robinson should be able to punch one in.
 
+457 SGP (FanDuel)

In the news ...

Rangers, Twins, Diamondbacks and Phillies take 1-0 leads in wild-card round — The 2023 MLB playoffs began Tuesday, and all four wild-card Game 1s ended with multi-run wins. In the American League, the Texas Rangers went on the road and upset the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-0, and the Minnesota Twins snapped their 18-game playoff losing streak with a 3-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. In the National League, the Arizona Diamondbacks knocked off the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3, and the Philadelphia Phillies cruised past the Miami Marlins, 4-1. Of the eight wild-card teams, the Phillies have the lowest odds to win the World Series at +900.

Aaron Rodgers isn't ruling out a 'miraculous' return this season — When Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles on the first drive of his New York Jets career, all reports indicated he would be out for the year. That would make sense, as the typical recovery time for an Achilles tear is at least six months. But in his recent appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Rodgers claimed he's leaving the door open for a return to the field this season. "I believe in making room for the miraculous to happen," he said. The 39-year-old would likely only be able to return if the Jets make the playoffs, but New York is +850 to make the postseason.

Chargers trade CB J.C. Jackson back to Patriots — With rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez likely out for the season due to a torn labrum, the New England Patriots are bringing back an old friend to fill his spot. On Wednesday morning, the Pats struck a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers to bring back Jackson, who made the Pro Bowl as a member of the Patriots in 2021. New England will need more help than just Jackson to save the season, though, as the 1-3 squad is +370 to make the playoffs. 

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jack Dougherty