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NFL Sunday Night Football Player Prop Bets: Rams vs. Lions

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Every NFL fan knows what’s coming once the afternoon games conclude and Carrie Underwood starts singing on the TV screen. It is time for Sunday Night Football and Week 1 provides an exhilarating matchup. The Los Angeles Rams pay a visit to the Detroit Lions in a rematch of one of last season’s NFC Wild Card contests. Here’s a look at three player prop bets that stick out from the rest in this clash of NFC contenders.

Week 1 Sunday Night Football Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Demarcus Robinson Longest Reception OVER 16. 5 Yards (-115)

Demarcus Robinson emerged as a sneaky target for quarterback Matthew Stafford throughout the second half of the 2023 campaign. The veteran wide receiver averaged 44.4 yards on 4.9 targets per game following the Rams’ Week 10 bye. An ability to get open over the middle and log yards after the catch helped him record a reception of at least 17 yards in six of those nine contests. Los Angeles did not add much to the receiving room in the offseason, meaning Robinson is the clear-cut WR3 again.

Focusing on Robinson’s longest reception prop is the way to go. The Lions allowed the most yards per completion last year (11.6) and surrendered a 19-yard grab to Robinson in the playoff clash. Overall, Detroit gave up the third-most yards to opposing wide receivers (3,081) and decided to revamp the cornerback position as a result. The new secondary will need time to perfect Aaron Glenn’s scheme and will also have their efforts centered on the Kupp/Nacua duo. Expect Robinson to take advantage.

Sam LaPorta Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+135)

The Lions addressed a need when they drafted tight end Sam LaPorta in the third round of the 2023 draft. It’s safe to say that plan worked out as the former Iowa Hawkeye set the NFL record for receptions by a rookie TE (86). LaPorta was more than quarterback Jared Goff’s security blanket, though. He was a monster near the end zone as he saw a red-zone target in 13 of Detroit’s 20 games (including playoffs) and posted 11 touchdowns. That includes the 2-yard TD he had against the Rams in the postseason.

Los Angeles has struggled to cover the tight end position when it truly matters for two years now. It conceded eight touchdowns to opposing TEs in both 2022 (T-seventh most) and 2023 (T-second most). Keep in mind the Lions finished 74.4% of its red-zone drives at home with a touchdown, which was the best mark in the league. Detroit should find similar success after retaining highly-praised offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. LaPorta is in a great spot to score in front of a packed Ford Field crowd.

Joshua Karty OVER 2.5 Point After Attempts Made (+114)

I’ll go a bit outside the box for this final prop bet. An offensive shootout is expected between two squads that ended among the top 10 in points per game last season. That is highlighted by the fact that this game features the highest Over/Under of any on the Week 1 NFL slate at 52 points. Of course, touchdowns are usually followed up by point after attempts. The Rams’ odds of scoring over 2.5 touchdowns are set at -145 on DraftKings, yet their kicker’s odds of tallying over 2.5 PATs made are set at plus odds.

Yes, Karty is a sixth-round rookie who just won the Rams’ kicker competition in training camp. However, the 22-year-old nailed seven of his nine kicks during the preseason (5/6 FG & 2/3 XP). That comes after a three-year college career where he made 51 of his 60 field goal attempts and 72 of his 73 extra point attempts. The young man has a reliable leg and has already gotten an introduction to kicking at a pro level. A back-and-forth showdown would indicate Karty sees multiple chances to cash this wager.

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