The Commanders host the Bears in the first game of Week 5. Washington is favored, and the probable positive game script impacts the following selections.
Here are my best PrizePicks player predictions for Week 5, “Thursday Night Football,” Bears vs. Commanders.
View our PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for today’s top props >>
The Commanders host the Bears in the first game of Week 5. Washington is favored, and the probable positive game script impacts the following selections.
Here are my best PrizePicks player predictions for Week 5, “Thursday Night Football,” Bears vs. Commanders.
View our PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for today’s top props >>
Best TNF Week 5 PrizePicks Player Predictions
Sam Howell OVER 13.5 Rushing Yards
Howell has rushed for 11, 13, 18 and 40 yards this season. His rushing yardage has climbed every game, culminating in his season-high 40 last week. The dual-threat quarterback averages 20.5 rushing yards per game, with a median of 15.5 in 2023.
Howell hasn’t run much this year, attempting only 11 rushes. Furthermore, according to The 33rd Team, he has no designed runs. Yet, Howell has rushing ability in his bag, evidenced by his massive rushing total in his final season at North Carolina.
Last week’s showing could be the catalyst for Eric Bieniemy using his dual-threat quarterback’s legs. Regardless, Howell can exceed 13.5 rushing yards on scrambles against a lousy defense that can’t sack quarterbacks. Per Pro-Football-Reference, the Bears have the third-lowest pressure rate (15.1%) and only two stacks this year. Finally, FantasyPros projects Howell to rush for 18.1 yards this week.
Antonio Gibson UNDER 23.5 Rushing Yards
Gibson is a change-of-pace and pass-catching back for the Commanders. Thus, he averages only 3.3 rushes per game and 13.5 rushing yards per game. Gibson has rushed for nine, nine, 17 and 19 yards in four games this season.
Gibson is also at risk of being benched, fumbling for the third time this season in Week 4. The matchup isn’t a cupcake, either. According to The 33rd Team, running backs have averaged only 3.8 yards per carry against the Bears this season. So, FantasyPros projects Gibson for 20.3 rushing yards this week.
Khalil Herbert UNDER 44.5 Rushing Yards
The Bears are 5.5-point underdogs. A negative game script is a legitimate threat to Herbert’s rushing potential this week. Game scripts have been killer for Herbert’s rushing all season.
As a result, he’s reached double-digit rush attempts and exceeded 44.5 rushing yards only once in 2023. Herbert set season-highs for rushes (18) and rushing yards (103) last week against Denver’s pitiful defense. Moreover, the Bears led 28-7, awarding him a rare positive game script for much of the game.
It’s unlikely Herbert will have a positive game script this week. And Washington’s run defense has allowed a mediocre 4.1 yards per carry to running backs this season. Therefore, Herbert is a good bet to rush for a yardage total closer to his median (33.0) in 2023 than last week’s outburst, and the under is an exciting choice.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
View our PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for today’s top props >>
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
