The “Thursday Night Football” game is a lopsided affair, featuring a 2-0 team among the NFL’s best and a 1-1 club that needed a furious comeback to avoid an embarrassing loss in Week 2. The game’s sizable spread should create obvious playcalling tendencies, influencing the three suggested picks in this piece.
Here are my best PrizePicks player predictions for Week 3, “Thursday Night Football,” Giants vs. 49ers.
Check out today’s best PrizePicks player props >>
The “Thursday Night Football” game is a lopsided affair, featuring a 2-0 team among the NFL’s best and a 1-1 club that needed a furious comeback to avoid an embarrassing loss in Week 2. The game’s sizable spread should create obvious playcalling tendencies, influencing the three suggested picks in this piece.
Here are my best PrizePicks player predictions for Week 3, “Thursday Night Football,” Giants vs. 49ers.
Check out today’s best PrizePicks player props >>
Best TNF Week 3 PrizePicks Player Predictions
Christian McCaffrey OVER 79.5 Rushing Yards
McCaffrey leads the NFL in rush attempts (42) and rushing yards per game (134.0) through two weeks. He trounced the Steelers for 152 rushing yards in Week 1 before steamrolling the Rams for 116 in Week 2.
In 15 games for the 49ers since his low-usage debut, CMC has averaged 80.9 rushing yards per game, exceeded 79.5 rushing yards eight times and posted a median of 84. He shouldn’t have any trouble eclipsing his prop against the Giants.
According to The 33rd Team, Big Blue has coughed up 212 rushing yards to running backs in two games this year. As a result, FantasyPros projects McCaffrey to rush for 89.7 yards.
Brandon Aiyuk UNDER 53.5 Receiving Yards
Aiyuk has been on the same page with Brock Purdy since the latter took over San Francisco’s starting gig last year. Unfortunately, Aiyuk has two critical factors working against his production outlook this week.
First, he’s not healthy.
Brandon Aiyuk route % by qtr Week 1
*90%
*92%
*50%
*60%
vs.
Week 2
*71%
*80%
*80%
*78%
Injuries to BOTH shoulders could be to blame. Aiyuk a real one but I'd be shocked if he's active *and* productive on the quick turnaround #49ers pic.twitter.com/MvKOmzhrMj
- Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) September 18, 2023
Second, the 49ers are 10.0-point favorites and have leaned on the run heavily when blowing out their opponents this season. According to Rotoviz’s pace tool, San Francisco’s run 61 plays when leading by at least eight points this year, rushing on 59% of those plays. The 49ers likely won’t need to over-exert the banged-up Aiyuk, making his under for 53.5 receiving yards an appealing selection.
Darren Waller OVER 45.5 Receiving Yards
Waller was a full-time player in Week 2. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he led the Giants in routes (39) and was in the slot for 17 snaps, wide for 10 and inline for 15. Thus, Waller is primarily a jumbo wideout.
He had eight targets (21.6% target share), six receptions and 76 receiving yards against the Cardinals last week when the Giants played in a negative game script most of the contest. They’ll likely be in a similar boat this week, albeit against a significantly better defense. Still, the 49ers allowed 64 receiving yards to Allen Robinson in Week 1 and 147 receiving yards and 77 to Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell, respectively, in Week 2.
So, Big Blue’s best passing-game weapon can exceed his receiving prop and is projected for 51.0 receiving yards by FantasyPros.
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.
