3 Best Prop Bets for Commanders vs Colts in Week 8
By Jerry Trotta
It’s now or never for the Washington Commanders. This two-game winning streak has turned the season around following a 1-4 start, but all that progress will be undone if they’re unable to beat the Indianapolis Colts, who have seemingly punted on the season after benching Matt Ryan for the inexperienced Sam Ehlinger.
It’s easier said than done, but the Commanders should deploy a similar game plan to Week 7 against the Packers. In the game, the defense focused on stopping the run and sat back in coverage and dared Aaron Rodgers to beat them with underneath throws. Doing the same against Ehlinger could produce similar success.
But enough about the x’s and o’s. Game day is right around the corner, which means time is running out for fans to submit their bets. We already offered a prediction for the game. Now it’s time to delve into some prop bets.
3 best prop bets for Commanders vs Colts in Week 8
3. Michael Pittman over 4.5 catches (-140)
There’s some risk involved here, as Pittman is playing with a new quarterback for the first time this season and he was a target and catch monster with Matt Ryan under center. Still, Pittman is the Colts’ undisputed No. 1 receiver and Ehlinger will likely lean on the receiver’s 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame as a security blanket.
This season, Pittman has just one game with fewer than five catches. He’s had eight or more catches in three games and has 33 targets the last three games. For the season, Pittman ranks 10th amongst WRs in catches and eighth in yards.
If you needed more convincing that this bet will hit, Pittman has hit the receptions over in 10 of his last 16 games. What are you waiting for?
2. Jonathan Taylor over 17.5 rushing attempts (-110)
The Commanders have a stingy run defense that’s getting better by the week, but it’s looked vulnerable at times. In Week 6 against the Bears, they allowed Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery to run for 155 yards on a whopping 7.0 yards per carry.
Of course, yards aren’t our main concern here but Indianapolis will ride Jonathan Taylor harder than usual if JT gets going early. And with Sam Ehlinger making his first career NFL start, you can guarantee a big workload for Taylor, who’s still 15th in total carries despite missing two games with an ankle injury.
In Taylor’s first game back in Week 7, he logged just 10 carries, meaning he has 10 carries the last three games and still ranks 15th in attempts. Game script was to blame for that and we don’t expect Frank Reich to make the same mistake.
Don’t be surprised if Taylor finishes with 20-25 carries on Sunday.
1. Terry McLaurin over 59.5 receiving yards (-110)
Commanders fans typically expect McLaurin to produce on Sundays. This Sunday is different, though, as it’ll mark McLaurin’s first homecoming as an NFL player. Mclaurin was born in Indianapolis and starred at Cathedral High School, just a 30-minute drive from Lucas Oil Stadium, before attending Ohio State.
McLaurin told reporters this week that nearly 70 people will be in attendance, including family, friends, and old coaches and teammates.
That lone leads us to believe a big McLaurin game is coming, but so is the fact Washington’s new quarterback loves throwing his way. In Week 7, McLaurin finished with his most targets (eight) since Week 3 and caught his first touchdown since Week 1.
Stephon Gilmore is admittedly a tough matchup and will likely shadow McLaurin, but Terry is fresh off taking another “lockdown” corner’s lunch money in the Packers’ Jaire Alexander. Gilmore is as good as they come, but he doesn’t scare us and 60 yards is hardly a tall ask for one of the game’s best receivers.
