NFL Week 2 Player Props: Best Bets for Sunday, September 15 (2024)

After Week 1 delivered some exciting games (and, to be fair, some duds), Week 2 promises more exciting NFL action. Can the passing offenses bounce back after an unremarkable Week 1 — or will it be more of the same this week? We’ll look to answer that question with our NFL Week 2 player prop bets and picks. If you need help finding sharp bets on your own, check out our NFL player prop betting strategy guide!

NFL Week 2 Player Props: Best Bets for Sunday, September 15

NFL Week 2 Player Props | Best Bets for Sunday, September 15

Patrick Mahomes Player Prop: O/U 271.5 Passing Yards

Pick by Isaiah Sirois. Find all of Isaiah’s expert picks now by clicking here!

Week 1 gave us one of the worst passing performances we’ve seen in a long time. You can call it rust, but I suspect we’re returning to a less pass-friendly environment. Over the last several seasons, defenses have begun to catch up to the pro-offensive rule changes, and young defensive backs are proving that passing offenses can be stopped.

Now, I don’t think the Cincinnati Bengals have any cornerbacks capable of causing problems for Patrick Mahomes. Safety Geno Stone is good, but one man does not a secondary make. But the bigger problem for Cincinnati is the front seven. They have no linebackers who are above replacement level. With nose tackle D.J. Reader gone, that’s a huge problem.

Cincinnati’s defense gave up a monstrous 120 rushing yards to Rhamondre Stevenson last week (✔️ Stevenson 50+ Rushing Yards). Jacoby Brissett only dropped back 25 times on his way to a paltry 121 passing yards. Mahomes may be a far better quarterback, but that doesn’t change the fact Kansas City should be able to run at will.

Last season was a notoriously down year for Kansas City, and Mahomes averaged only 261.4 passing yards per game. This included a 245-yard showing against Cincinnati in what was a much closer game than what I expect to see this Sunday. Let’s fade Mahomes and hope the Chiefs keep it on the ground en route to a blowout win.

Best NFL Week 2 Player Prop Pick: Patrick Mahomes Under 271.5 Passing Yards -113 at FanDuel

Jaleel McLaughlin Player Prop: O/U 27.5 Rushing Yards

This bet should win 55% of the time. If you have a $1,000 bankroll, we’re getting enough edge to make this one worth $25.

Best NFL Week 1 Player Prop Pick: Jaleel McLaughlin Over 27.5 Rushing Yards -110 at Hard Rock

Mike Evans Player Prop: O/U 4.5 Receptions

Pick by Danny Burke. Find all of Danny’s expert picks now — get your first week for $1 with code “BURKESBETS”!

In Week 1, Evans showed that he should still be considered a top receiver in the NFL. He finished the game with five receptions, 61 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Another favorable matchup presents itself this week.

Last season, despite being in different divisions, the Buccaneers and Lions faced each other twice. In Week 6, they played in Tampa Bay. They played during the Divisional Round in Detroit. In the first meeting, Evans recorded four receptions on 10 targets, and in the playoff matchup, he notched eight receptions on 12 targets. He led his receiving crew in targets in both games.

Heading into this Sunday, Tampa Bay is a touchdown underdog, which suggests they’ll likely be trailing and need to throw frequently to stay in the game. This should create more opportunities for Evans. Even if the Bucs aren’t playing from behind — their game plan should emphasize the passing efforts anyways. Detroit’s defensive line is their strong suit, and they continue to show weakness in their secondary.

Last week, with Puka Nacua out for most of the game, Cooper Kupp was targeted 21 times and caught 14 passes. Despite limited help and heightened defensive attention, Stafford and Kupp maintained a strong connection. The Bucs have Chris Godwin, which should help distribute the defensive focus and create more opportunities for Evans.

Evans’ total receptions prop is set at 4.5, with slight juice to the over, while Godwin’s prop is higher at 5.5. I believe those numbers should be reversed and that we’re getting a bargain on the future Hall of Famer.

Best NFL Week 2 Player Prop Pick: Mike Evans Over 4.5 Receptions -129 at Caesars

Rachaad White Player Prop: O/U 225.5 Passing Yards

Pick by Nathan Joyce. Find all of Nathan’s expert picks now

Only one running back had more receptions (by one) and yards (also by one) than White in Week 1 — and it was De’Von Achane. Not bad company to be in when you’re losing out to in the passing game.

White finished Week 1 with six receptions for 75 yards; and long of 32 yards — so we’ve already seen he’s capable of breaking a big play when getting the ball in space.

This week, he has a receiving prop of over/under 23.5 yards at FanDuel for -114 odds.

With the point spread being 7.5 and the Bucs being on the road in Detroit, and the Buccaneers somehow allowing the Commanders to put up 20 on them last week … I imagine the Lions will be able to put up points. Especially at home.

So, it seems likely the game script will point them in the direction of needing to pass the ball, which means plenty of opportunities for White to get his catches out of the backfield.

Look for the Bucs to be trailing in the third and fourth quarters, and watch the receiving yard pile up on dump offs as Tampa tries to move the ball down the field late in the game with Detroit in somewhat of a prevent look.

I’ll meet you at the window when we cash this ticket.

Best NFL Week 2 Player Prop Pick: Rachaad White Over 23.5 Receiving Yards -114 at FanDuel

Justin Herbert Player Prop: O/U 203.5 Passing Yards

Pick by Isaiah Sirois.

Look, I think Justin Herbert is a great quarterback. I may not love him as much as head coach Jim Harbaugh does (it’s getting creepy at this point, Jim), but I think he is an excellent signal-caller. The problem is that he now plays for offensive coordinator Greg Roman, whose run-heavy scheme is a quarterback suppressant.

To illustrate my point: Lamar Jackson averaged 186.8 passing yards per game in his final season with Roman at the helm (2022). By the end of the season, Baltimore’s rushing play percentage clocked in at 50.2%. Through Week 1 of this season, Herbert has 144 passing yards while the Chargers have run it 50% of the time.

The Chargers will visit the Carolina Panthers this weekend, and we just saw defensive tackle Derrick Brown get placed on season-ending injured reserve for Carolina. He was crucial to their run defense, and without him, rushing lanes should be wide open for J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

Herbert’s passing yardage prop for Week 2 may seem low at 203.5, but in a Greg Roman offense against this Panthers defense, it’s actually a bit high. Carolina allowed only 200 passing yards to Derek Carr in last week’s 47-10 beatdown and led the NFL in passing yards allowed to the position on a per-game basis last year (182.8).

Best NFL Week 2 Player Prop Pick: Justin Herbert Under 203.5 Passing Yards -113 at FanDuel

Brock Purdy Player Prop: O/U 242.5 Passing Yards

Pick by Isaiah Sirois.

The San Francisco 49ers head north to face the Minnesota Vikings this weekend, and while both teams are off to solid 1-0 starts, the vibes are quite different. San Francisco just had to put running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve, which will keep him out for at least four more weeks. Meanwhile, the Vikings may have a real quarterback under center in Sam Darnold.

But in what’s arguably a bigger story for Minnesota, defensive coordinator Brian Flores may have finally turned this unit into a true contender. The cornerback room, which has long been an issue for the Vikings, now features Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaquill Griffin, all of whom are tested NFL veterans.

I’m not 100% sold on this secondary — Daniel Jones missed some open receivers last week — but I am sold on the idea of fading Purdy against them. Sure, the loss of McCaffrey may lead to so more passing attempts for him, but he isn’t exactly working with a wealth of great targets now that McCaffrey is hurt, and Brandon Aiyuk is struggling after a lengthy offseason absence.

Last year, Purdy dropped 272 passing yards on the Vikings, but that was a game they ultimately lost. The Vikings are 4.5-point dogs this time, and, if Vegas is right about the likely game script, we probably won’t see as many as passing attempts from Purdy as we saw in this matchup last year.

Best NFL Week 2 Player Prop Pick: Brock Purdy Under 242.5 Passing Yards -113 at FanDuel