Nov 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 13

This time of year can be difficult for bettors. It is not unusual for a struggling NFL team to play well for a day and keep it close against a better team. But if taking such a bet does not sound like a good idea, give one (or more) of the hundreds of player props a try.

With three games on Thanksgiving and another on Black Friday, there are fewer games than usual. However, there are still hundreds of NFL player props available. To help you decide which to bet on, here is our top 10 list of player props for Sunday’s Week 13 slate.

NFL Week 13: Player Props

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Pat Freiermuth, four-plus receptions at +194 (FanDuel)

Freiermuth had four last week in the loss to the Browns and at least that many in each of the first four games of the season. But against a passing team like the Bengals, the Steelers will likely need every weapon in their arsenal to keep up with the Cincinnati passing game. The Bengals’ defense has taken it relatively easy on tight ends this year. So, whether the Steelers are trying to catch up or control the ball, there is a good chance Freiermuth plays a bigger part than usual and makes four-plus receptions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young, O/U 195.5 at -114/-114 (FanDuel)

Those of us who have not paid much attention to the Carolina Panthers this season might be surprised to hear that Bryce Young has been playing pretty well since returning to the starting lineup. He’s thrown for 200-plus yards in two of his past four games and is completing 60-plus percent of his passes. Tampa Bay has a solid run defense. Since the Bucs will probably throw early and often, the Panthers will need Young to throw the ball to catch up and/or be competitive. With how well Young is playing right now, we’ll take the OVER.

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots

Drake Maye, O/U 220.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (DraftKings)

Maye threw for more than 220 passing yards against the Rams and Dolphins, two solid defenses, in his past two games. The Colts’ defense ranks No. 27 in pass defense and has seen opponents average 34 pass attempts and 231.7 yards per game over the past three. Maye has averaged right around 34 attempts and 230 yards over his past three. Take the OVER.

Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

Kyren Williams, O/U 19.5 rushing attempts at -102/-128 (FanDuel)
O/U 82.5 rushing yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel)
O/U 11.5 receiving yards (DraftKings)

Williams had 16, 15, and 15 carries the past three weeks but had 20-plus in the previous four and has averaged 18.8 per game this season. But he’ll be facing a New Orleans Saints team that has seen opponents run the ball 26.7 times per game and 27.8 at home. The Rams tend to run a little less on the road, but they are fighting to remain in the playoff conversation (just like the Saints). To that end, they’ll put the ball in the hands of their playmaker rather than spread the touches among multiple backs.

New Orleans has been giving up 134.2 yards per game on the ground but has been especially weak against the run at home (163.2 yards per game). Wiliams has gone for over 82.5 yards in three of the five games in which he had 20-plus carries.
But against a Saints team giving up 160-plus at home, take the OVER.

Williams has not been targeted in the passing game the past two weeks (three total). In the eight games where he had at least one catch, he finished with under 11.5 yards in three. He is not a priority in the passing game. Take the UNDER.

Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

C.J. Stroud, O/U 259.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (BetMGM)
Tank Dell, O/U 51.5 receiving yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel)
O/U 4.5 receptions at +130/-170 (FanDuel)
Nico Collins, O/U longest reception 26.5 yards at -130/+100 (BetMGM)

This should be the ‘get-right’ game C.J. Stroud and the Texans have needed for weeks. Jacksonville has overtaken the Ravens as the worst pass defense in the NFL. Stroud has gone over 259.5 passing yards just once in Houston’s past seven games.

But opponents are averaging 278.3 yards per game this season and close to 300 over the past three games. If Stroud can’t go off against this team with the talent at his disposal …

Tank Dell has gone over 51.5 yards in both games with Nico Collins back in the lineup. But against a Jacksonville defense that has allowed an average of 13.5 receptions for 183.5 yards, Dell should see a few more targets.

Collins will be the primary receiver, of course, but Dell could still see balls thrown his way and that should be enough for him to go OVER both marks. As for Collins, he has had a reception of 28-plus yards in every game but one. Jacksonville has given up 52 pass plays of 20-plus yards and nine of 40-plus.

Take the OVER.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Chargers S Derwin James suspended 1 game for illegal hits

The NFL suspended Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James one game on Monday for “repeated violations” of league rules to protect players’ health and safety.

James will appeal the suspension, The Athletic reported. Otherwise, the Chargers will be without their former Pro Bowl safety for their Week 4 contest against the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

The suspension comes after James led with his helmet when landing a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth on Sunday in a 20-10 loss. James was penalized on the play, saying after the game that he was frustrated to be flagged and didn’t believe he hit Freiermuth in the head or neck.

“During the third quarter of Sunday’s Chargers-Steelers game you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to James. “The video of the play shows that you lowered your head and made forcible contact (with Freiermuth). You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated. Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

James’ appeal will be heard by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, Kevin Mawae or Jordy Nelson, all retired NFL players jointly appointed as hearing officers by the NFL and NFLPA.

James, 28, has 21 tackles and one sack in three games this year. He has played six seasons for the Chargers since they drafted him in the first round in 2018, missing all of 2020 due to injury. He was a first-team All-Pro selection as a rookie and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

In 69 career games (all starts), James has totaled 518 tackles (26 for loss), 12.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, 32 pass breakups, eight interceptions and five forced fumbles.

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett out of concussion protocol

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, tight end Pat Freiermuth and cornerback Levi Wallace have all been released from concussion protocol, the team said Friday.

All three were full participants in practice Thursday and will be available Sunday night when the Steelers (2-4) visit the Miami Dolphins (3-3).

The 24-year-old Pickett, who replaced Mitch Trubisky as the starter in a Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills, sustained a concussion on Sunday in the third quarter of Pittsburgh’s 20-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before his departure, the rookie completed 11 of 18 pass attempts for 67 yards and his first NFL touchdown.

Trubisky was 9-of-12 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown in relief, but coach Mike Tomlin said this week the starting job would be Pickett’s upon his return.

“There’s really just not a lot to talk about. We’re going to be somewhat steady,” Tomlin said. “I’ve been consistent in my messaging regarding decision-making in that position. I think it helps those that are playing. I think it helps the team in terms of who to follow. And we’re not going to flip the script now.”

Freiermuth and Wallace both missed the Tampa Bay game.

“Having Pat back adds us another really viable weapon they have to be aware of. How they handle covering him will dictate where the ball should go and who it should go to,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said of the tight end. “The more weapons we have out there the better. We’ve got good weapons. But having Pat back is awesome.”

Freiermuth, 23, has 20 catches for 235 yards and one touchdown in five games (four starts).

Wallace, 27, is in his first season in Pittsburgh after four with the Bills. He has 13 tackles, an interception and four passes defensed in five games (two starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Pat Freiermuth (87) prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State loses TE Freiermuth to season-ending surgery

Penn State’s injury-plagued offense took another hit Saturday.

After the Nittany Lions’ 41-21 loss to Iowa, head coach James Franklin revealed that junior tight end and highly regarded NFL prospect Pat Freiermuth will undergo season-ending surgery next week for an undisclosed injury.

The Nittany Lions (0-5) were already without running back Noah Cain, who injured his leg in Penn State’s 36-35 overtime, season-opening loss to Indiana, and running back Journey Brown, who retired from football for medical reasons.

“The injury has prevented [him] from playing at a high level and without pain, which led to the decision of surgery that his family and we made this week,” Franklin said.

Freiermuth, an All-Big Ten second team selection in 2019 and a preseason All-America first team selection this season, didn’t play against Iowa. Franklin said that Freiermuth was injured in Penn State’s second game of the season, a 38-25 loss to Ohio State on Oct. 31.

Despite the injury, Freiermuth caught six passes for 91 yards in a 35-19 loss to Maryland the next week and made seven catches for 113 yards in a 30-23 loss at Nebraska the next week. Freiermuth finished the season with 23 catches for 310 yards and one touchdown after 43 passes for 507 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Freiermuth owns the PSU career record for touchdown catches by a tight end (16), his lone score this season breaking a tie with Mike Gesicki, who played for the Nittany Lions from 2014-17.

Penn State ranks 11th in the 14-team Big Ten with 25.5 points scored per game.

–Field Level Media