Week 16 props that pop: Banking on Gibbs and a boost for Falcons

It's Week 16? Yes, it's Week 16! The fantasy football postseason is successful its 2nd week for astir virtual enthusiasts, and the existent life NFL playoffs are conscionable astir the corner.

This week, Daniel Dopp and I purpose to amended connected our numbers while lining your pockets pinch immoderate other vacation spending money.

Let's excavation in! -- Liz Loza

All likelihood arsenic of publication time. For the latest odds, sojourn ESPN BET.

Quarterback props

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Why Tyler Fulghum expects points successful Bills-Patriots

Tyler Fulghum explains why he's taking the complete erstwhile a red-hot Josh Allen and the Bills big the Patriots and a "feisty" Drake Maye successful Week 16.

Drake Maye OVER 199.5 passing yards (-115), OVER 0.5 INTs (-165)

Loza: Maye has been a garbage clip hero, padding his stats while chasing points. That's a inclination that figures to proceed pinch the New England Patriots arsenic 14-point roadworthy underdogs astatine Orchard Park, New York. Maye is averaging 189.7 passing yards connected the season, but he has gone complete 200 passing yards successful 4 consecutive contests. In his fervor, he has besides tossed 7 picks complete his past six outings. The Buffalo Bills secondary is littered pinch injuries, which should thief Maye link pinch his receiving corps. Buffalo besides ranks seventh successful full INTs pinch an awesome 13 connected the season. With only a 5% chance of rainfall presently expected for Sunday's matchup, the upwind shouldn't deter Maye from putting the shot successful the aerial capable times to triumph some wagers.

Caleb Williams longest unreserved OVER 12.5 yards (-120)

Dopp: The Lions' protect woes came to a caput erstwhile they played Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills past week, losing contempt scoring 42 points! One of the ways that Allen and the Bills were capable to hit this defense was by relying connected Allen's legs to prime up yards connected the crushed erstwhile plays collapsed down. It's thing that each Lions instrumentality has witnessed each play (at slightest since Aiden Hutchinson was mislaid for the season).

Given Aaron Glenn's dense man sum scheme, QBs person been capable to prime up large chunks of yardage each season, though it's been moreover worse successful the 2nd half pinch each of the protect injuries Detroit has suffered. The Lions person allowed QBs to a unreserved of 13 yards aliases much connected 11 different occasions this year. Sam Darnold topped this statement successful Week 7, arsenic did Mason Rudolph successful Week 8. In Weeks 9 to 11, the Lions held Mac Jones, C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love -- pinch Love being the only 1 pinch mobility -- to autumn short complete that span. In Week 12, Anthony Richardson topped this line. In Week 13, Williams exceeded this line. In Week 14, Love sewage his revenge and bested this line. In Week 15, Allen overcame this line.

See a trend? The Lions person fixed up astatine slightest 13 yards connected a azygous unreserved effort to QBs successful each of the past 4 weeks. This defense is still severely banged up, particularly astatine the LB position, and I'm expecting Williams to clear this number erstwhile again.

Running backmost props

Jahmyr Gibbs OVER 125.5 rushing + receiving yards (-118)

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Why Fulghum is backing Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Bears

Tyler Fulghum explains why he's betting connected Jahmyr Gibbs to spell complete his rushing gait prop erstwhile the Lions look disconnected against the Bears successful Week 16.

Dopp: Gibbs is successful statement for immoderate other activity successful the Lions backfield pinch David Montgomery done for the regular season. The wounded is heartbreaking for Lions fans, but it does clear that backfield for those looking to put successful a prop stake connected Gibbs.

Earlier this week, Michael Lester Clay Jr. tweeted astir Gibbs' performances erstwhile Montgomery has missed clip this year. For the liking of brevity, Gibbs had 20 touches successful Week 7 for 126 yards (and a TD) and 31 touches successful Week 8 for a career-high 189 yards (and a TD). Not only did he smash successful those 2 weeks, but he besides showcased his expertise to carve up this Bears' defense successful Week 13 erstwhile he had 11 touches for 104 yards.

This Bears' defense has slowed rather a spot successful caller weeks, allowing Josh Jacobs to deed 134 yards successful Week 11, Aaron Jones to scope 129 yards successful Week 12, Montgomery to station 124 successful Week 13 and Isaac Guerendo to nutrient 128 successful Week 14. Knowing that Gibbs is simply a large play waiting to hap successful the rushing and passing crippled and the caller struggles the Bears person had against opposing RBs, I'm taking Gibbs to deed the over.

Wide receiver props

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What does Michael Penix Jr. astatine QB mean for different Falcons successful fantasy?

Field Yates and Liz Loza break down what Michael Penix Jr. starting intends successful imagination for players for illustration Drake London.

Darnell Mooney 50+ receiving yards (-125), longest reception OVER 22.5 yards (-110)

Loza: The Michael Penix Jr. era originates Sunday versus the New York Giants. Penix dazzled astatine the University of Washington, demonstrating unthinkable limb talent and starring the FBS successful passing past season. Penix completed and attempted the astir throws 20 yards downfield of immoderate FBS subordinate successful 2023. While immoderate bettors mightiness person concerns astir the rookie's ratio successful his first start, I'm assured he'll assistance the Atlanta Falcons and further unlock the team's downfield weapons. That sets up nicely for Mooney, who ranks 16th successful aDOT (12.74) among wide receivers and 18th successful reception percent complete 20 yards (33%). Penix and Mooney fig to flash against a Giants secondary that has allowed the highest completion percent connected heavy passes (65%) this season.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba OVER 59.5 receiving yards, 4+ receptions (SGP +163)

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Why imagination managers should commencement Jaxon Smith-Njigba successful Week 16

Daniel Dopp and Stephania Bell talk why they person Jaxon Smith-Njigba arsenic their commencement of the week heading into his Week 16 matchup vs. the Vikings.

Dopp: JSN has been cruising lately, seemingly taking complete arsenic the WR1 successful this Seattle Seahawks passing attack. He leads the squad successful targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. It's been a breakout play for the second-year WR and there's a chance it could get moreover amended this week against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings person allowed the astir targets, receptions and receiving yards to wide receivers this year, arsenic good arsenic the fourth-most completions and third-most yards to the slot, which is wherever JSN has lived.

The Seahawks should proceed to trust connected their breakout prima arsenic they NEED to triumph this crippled to enactment successful the NFC playoff hunt. JSN has astatine slightest 4 receptions and 59.5 receiving yards successful 7 consecutive games! The truth that you're capable to get positive money connected a statement that he has deed 7 weeks successful a statement against a squad that gives up yards and receptions for illustration it's going retired of style seems chaotic to me, but it's not my time to make the lines complete astatine ESPN BET. This is my favourite stake of the weekend, and I'm encouraging everyone to jump connected this earlier we spot a displacement successful the odds. Give maine JSN to deed this same-game parlay.

Tight extremity prop

Pat Freiermuth OVER 3.5 receptions (Even)

Loza: The Pittsburgh Steelers person amazingly stymied Lamar Jackson complete overmuch of his career, arsenic the Baltimore Ravens signal-caller has managed conscionable a 2-5 grounds against the AFC North rival. Still, the Ravens are 6.5-point location favorites for the Week 16 matchup. With Russell Wilson apt to beryllium chasing points and George Pickens sidelined for a 3rd consecutive contest, Freiermuth figures to tie hefty volume. The seasoned tight extremity has posted 3 catches successful back-to-back games, but that number should summation fixed the matchup. Baltimore has allowed the seventh-most catches to opposing TEs (5.2 per game). Look for Muth to haul successful astatine slightest 4 grabs Saturday.

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