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

Oct 6, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Panthers QB Bryce Young to start against Saints

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will make his second straight start on Sunday against the visiting New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Dave Canales announced Wednesday that Andy Dalton was a full participant at practice but continues to rehab his sprained right thumb.

Young regained QB1 status last week after Dalton was injured in a car accident. Young completed 24 of 37 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in last Sunday’s 28-14 loss at Denver.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young is 0-3 as a starter this season and the Panthers (1-7) have lost five straight heading into their Week 9 NFC South clash with the Saints (2-6).

Young, 23, has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 523 yards with two TDs and five interceptions this season. He threw two of those picks in a 47-10 Week 1 loss at New Orleans. Dalton, who turned 37 on Tuesday, has completed 66.3 percent of his throws for 989 yards with seven scores and six picks.

Canales was not ready Wednesday to commit to Young as the starter beyond this weekend.

“Bryce will be starting this week,” Canales said. “We’ll collect all the information over the week with Andy, with Bryce, how he plays this week, and then we’ll make another decision next week.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receivers Adam Thielen (19) and Diontae Johnson (5) before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Panthers rule out WRs Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen

Bryce Young will be minus two top targets when he gets back under center for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

On Friday, receivers Diontae Johnson (rib) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) were ruled out for the Week 8 game at Denver.

Quarterback Andy Dalton, who started the past five games after replacing Young, is listed as doubtful against the Broncos due to a sprained right thumb sustained in a car accident on Tuesday.

Johnson, 28, leads the Panthers (1-6) in receptions (30), targets (58), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Thielen, 34, will miss his fifth straight game. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has eight catches for 109 yards and one TD.

Young’s available wide receivers against the Broncos (4-3) include rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker along with David Moore and Jonathan Mingo.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) listens to quarterback Bryce Young (9) as they warm up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Bryce Young to start for Panthers; Andy Dalton hurt in crash

Bryce Young will start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers this week after Andy Dalton showed up on the injury report with a sprained right thumb on Wednesday.

Dalton was held out of practice Wednesday, one day after he was involved in a car accident while traveling with his wife and three children in Charlotte, N.C.

“Scary moment for sure,” coach Dave Canales said Wednesday. “Everyone was OK. Everyone’s healthy. Unfortunately in the accident he did sprain his thumb, so Bryce will be playing this week for us and we’ll be evaluating Andy day-to-day going into this weekend, see if we can get him up as the two (backup QB) on game day.”

Carolina (1-6) plays at Denver (4-3) on Sunday.

Dalton replaced Young as the starter in Week 3. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 299 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in four games (two starts) this season.

Dalton, 36, has thrown for 989 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions in five starts this season.

A 14-year veteran, Dalton has tallied 39,500 career passing yards with 253 touchdowns and 150 interceptions in 175 games (1686 starts), mostly from his nine-year tenure with Cincinnati (2011-19).

Dalton and Young are the only quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Rookie Jack Plummer is on the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) helped off the turf after a sack against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Rookie coach Dave Canales takes blame for Bryce Young’s brutal outing

Rookie coach Dave Canales took the blame for Carolina’s futile offensive effort and the career-worst 32.8 passer rating from quarterback Bryce Young in the Panthers’ 47-10 loss at New Orleans on Sunday.

In the season opener for both teams, the Saints scored on the first nine possessions they had the ball. Young was picked on his first pass of the season. The Panthers didn’t get in the end zone until Young took off for a 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

“Honestly, it’s on the coaching staff. It’s on us. We sat there like we were sitting ducks,” Canales said. “We didn’t do enough to give our guys simpler solutions in some of those.”

Canales said the Saints “gave us issues with what they did” and could recall only one instance where Young was responsible for pressure when he could have flipped protection.

“We got outcoached in that regard. I take that personally,” Canales said.

From the time he was hired to leave the post as offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, Canales preached the importance of establishing the running game to take pressure off of Young. He said the game plan included a heavy dose of their ground game, but New Orleans forced the Panthers out of it. Carolina gained 58 yards on 20 total carries with a long gain of eight yards.

“Emphasis was there,” Canales said. “We didn’t get the result we wanted.”

Young was 13 of 30 (43.3 percent) for 161 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked four times in a game the Saints led 30-3 at halftime.

“From a footwork standpoint, I thought it was a solid day,” Canales said. “I think he missed a couple of throws. I think he’s learning some of his guys. … I also have to give the Saints credit for covering us really well. They made it hard. They forced accurate throws. That’s something we have to make sure we cash in on when we have the opportunities.”

Carolina’s next opportunity is Week 2 in the home opener. The Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) travel to Charlotte with a potent pass rush led by edge defenders Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. The Chargers had four sacks and an interception in a 22-10 home win against the Raiders to open the regular season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) hugs team owner David Tepper on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers owner defends Bryce Young pick, firing another coach

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper defended his decision to fire another coach and called the selection of quarterback Bryce Young unanimous among football staff in a 13-minute press conference Tuesday.

Tepper fired Frank Reich on Monday and elevated special teams coach Chris Tabor to interim head coach, setting the franchise on a path to hire what will be the team’s seventh acting head coach since the ownership change in 2018.

Why pull the plug on a coach hired in January?

“I’m not going to get into it here. There are different reasons why different things happen,” Tepper said. “You guys see like I said, everything is on the field. Everything is known over time. People know it. The league knows it. If everything was perfect, it wouldn’t be the case. If everything was good, it wouldn’t be the case. So it’s not as if it’s not known out there.”

Carolina is 1-10 this season and 30-63 since Tepper purchased the team. If the 2023 season ended today, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft would go to the Panthers based on their NFL-worst record. But Carolina already traded that pick to Chicago to move up and select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young in this year’s draft.

Tepper said the Panthers unanimously agreed Young was the right player to select. But No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) has been a standout among the first-year QB crop. Tepper claimed Young was the No. 1 player on the team’s draft board and said he didn’t offer his own personal input until draft day.

“Originally we were gonna go to the No. 2 pick and we thought we’d get C.J., because we thought the Texans were gonna pick Bryce (Young). And listen, we preferred Bryce, he was our No. 1 pick, we had a lot of conviction,” Tepper said. “It’s just not the way the process was done.”

Tepper insisted of the choice to draft Young, “We were totally confident in that pick, we made the pick first. For me, I’m totally confident in that pick.”

Panthers media relations ushered Tepper away from the microphone while questions were still being asked of the owner.

Tepper did not answer a question about the future of general manager Scott Fitterer.

Tabor followed Tepper’s press conference and said the decision to part with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and running backs coach Duce Staley was a decision he made on his own “to improve the team.”

Tabor also said he took the interim head coach position with no assurances that he would receive an interview for the full-time position.

Tepper, listed by Forbes as the fourth-wealthiest owner in the NFL, owed Reich $30 million for the final three-plus years on a four-year contract. That’s in addition to payments owed his first hire, Matt Rhule, who Tepper fired last October with more than $40 million left on the contract he signed in January 2020.

Given the rate of turnover and relative lack of patience shown by ownership, Tepper denied there is any reason for concern about hiring a new coach. Under new NFL rules, the Panthers can’t interview any coach employed by an NFL team this season until Jan. 22.

“If I had my druthers, I would like someone to be here 20, 30 years. I’d like to have someone say the eulogy at my funeral in 30 years. OK, maybe 40 years,” Tepper said.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Saints rule out both starting OTs, backup for ‘TNF’

The New Orleans Saints ruled out starting offensive tackles Ryan Ramczyk (concussion) and James Hurst (ankle) along with backup tackle Landon Young (hip) for Thursday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Trevor Penning is expected to draw the start at one of the tackle spots. Penning started the first five games of the season, playing 100 percent of the snaps. He was benched ahead of last week’s loss to the Houston Texans but played 78 percent of the snaps.

The Saints also ruled out tight end Juwan Johnson (calf) and safety J.T. Gray (hamstring). Linebacker Demario Davis (knee) is questionable and a game-time decision. Also questionable are starting safety Tyrann Mathieu (foot), running back Jamaal Williams (hamstring) and safety Lonnie Johnson (hamstring).

Guard Andrus Peat (groin), however, is listed without a game status after being limited in practice this week.

Ramczyk, 29, has started all 95 games he’s played in since being selected No. 32 overall by the Saints in the 2017 draft.

Hurst, 31, started all six games this season, his fourth in New Orleans.

Young, 26, has played in four games this season but was inactive in Week 5 and didn’t play last week.

The Saints (3-3) host the Jaguars (4-2) to kick off Week 7.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs onto the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers QB Bryce Young energized, ready to play Sunday

Bryce Young didn’t just participate in Wednesday’s workout, he delivered his best practice of the year, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said.

“Yesterday, I told him, was probably his best day. The energy, enthusiasm, stepping into a huddle, calling the plays with conviction, coaching those guys up from a receiver standpoint, the O-line up front,” Brown said Thursday, elaborating on his declaration. “Just kind of being the maestro, if you will, when it comes to the offense.”

Young said he won’t have any issues returning to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, watched Andy Dalton run the show in a loss at Seattle. Young went 0-2 in the first two games of the season and was out against the Seahawks due to a sprained ankle.

Young has completed 42 of 71 pass attempts for 299 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions with the Panthers.

He said a different perspective, that of an observer watching the veteran Dalton interact and energize the offense, gave him a big boost.

“We talked about increasing our energy and tempo,” Young said. “I definitely did take that to heart.”

Young said he couldn’t recall if he’d played on a team that lost three consecutive games before. He posted a 24-3 record as the starting quarterback at Alabama.

This week, the Panthers (0-3) play the winless Vikings (0-3).

“You have to process it and understand it for what it is,” Young said. “Of course, it’s not the start we wanted, but nothing is going to change that.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers ‘don’t know yet’ if Bryce Young returns Sunday

Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich said Monday he is unsure of quarterback Bryce Young’s status this week.

Young sat out Sunday’s 37-27 loss at Seattle with a sprained ankle after Reich said the rookie would be out 1-2 weeks.

Andy Dalton replaced the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and passed for 361 yards and two TDs against the Seahawks.

Young, 22, told Reich on Sunday that his ankle was feeling better, according to NFL Network.

Reich said he was not sure whether Young will be at practice Wednesday when the Panthers (0-3) begin preparing to host the Minnesota Vikings (0-3) this Sunday.

“Don’t know. Don’t know yet,” Reich said. “We’ll see how tomorrow goes and then Wednesday. I’ll give you an update then. But I know he’s done everything possible to try to put himself in position, too.”

Young passed for a combined 299 yards with two TDs and two interceptions in losses against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during pregame warm ups against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers QB Bryce Young still hurting; Andy Dalton could start at Seattle

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton took the first-team reps Thursday for the second day in a row with rookie No. 1 pick Bryce Young hobbled by a sprained ankle.

Young had his ankle checked out after the Monday night home loss to the New Orleans Saints and missed the Wednesday walkthrough before being held out of the team’s first full practice of the week Thursday.

“We have some general principles that we operated by, not absolutes, that we say, ‘Hey, how many days of practices are needed for a younger player to play?’” head coach Frank Reich said. “If he’s a younger player, maybe you want him to practice a little bit more.”

Young, 22, is 0-2 to begin his career. The No. 1 overall pick has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions so far.

The Panthers twice took out Young in short-yardage situations against the Saints, bringing in Dalton, a move Reich later said was done to “limit the exposure” of their franchise QB.

Dalton said Thursday he’s preparing as he always has — to be ready to play — and hasn’t been informed if he’s starting this week.

“We’ll see how it goes as the week goes on. With Bryce down right now, I’m getting the reps and preparing like I do every week,” Dalton said.

Carolina offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said Young was hurt early in the loss to New Orleans but played through it. He said Young is genuine and will be honest with the franchise about his health when it comes time to make a call about Week 3 at Seattle (1-1).

“It’s a great environment,” Dalton said of the Panthers playing in Seattle. “You talk about NFL environment and crowd noise, it’s one of those places that first hits your brain.”

The Panthers also listed edge rusher Brian Burns (ankle), linebacker Justin Houston (calf), running back Miles Sanders (pec) and linebacker Chandler Wooten (knee) as limited for Wednesday’s walkthrough.

Jake Luton was signed to the practice squad to give Carolina multiple healthy quarterbacks in practice.

–Field Level Media