NFL Week 6: Spotlight On Player Props As Patrick Mahomes Visits Washington

Written By Dann Stupp on October 14, 2021
player props

Let’s shift our attention to player props as the Washington Football Team prepares to face the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL Week 6 matchup.

Sunday’s game (1 p.m., CBS) between the WFT (2-3) and Chiefs (2-3) is expected to attract significant attention. Despite their less-than-ideal records this year, both teams continue to enjoy a strong fan following.

The upcoming game at FedExField featuring Chiefs’ quarterback and 2018 NFL Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes is expected to generate significant betting attention.

Are you getting bored with the typical wagers on point spreads, moneylines, and totals? If that’s the case, then this game is perfect for adding excitement with player props.

What are NFL player props?

As of Thursday afternoon, Caesars Sportsbook, one among nine Virginia sportsbooks, listed Kansas City as the favored team with a 6.5-point advantage (-110), while the home team, Washington, was considered the underdog with a 6.5-point deficit (-110). The Chiefs had a moneyline of -290, indicating their status as favorites, whereas the WFT had a moneyline of +235, indicating their position as underdogs.

Throughout the week, the Chiefs’ game line has fluctuated between -6.5 and -7.

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After starting at 50.5, the total for the game has now reached 54.5. This significant change in the line indicates that numerous bettors anticipate both teams to score a significant number of points.

Indeed, it is possible to place a wager on the “over” for this game. However, a significant portion of the potential benefit might have diminished as the total has already shifted by a substantial four points.

On the other hand, if you are interested in wagering on the probability of the offenses prevailing, there are alternative methods available.

Player props are the way in which they are presented.

Bet on individual player performances

Even if you have never engaged in prop betting, chances are you are acquainted with the most notorious ones. These bets are prevalent at numerous illegal offshore sportsbooks and are also found in certain legal domestic ones, depending on the specific state’s sports betting regulations. Prop bets gain significant popularity during the Super Bowl.

  • Is the outcome of the coin toss going to be heads or tails?
  • What is the duration of the Super Bowl national anthem?
  • What will be the color of the Gatorade poured on the victorious coach?

These prop bets are designed to entertain and provide casual fans with betting options during significant sports events.

However, when it comes to player prop bets, the level of seriousness can escalate significantly. In reality, many of the most skilled sports bettors primarily, if not solely, concentrate on props.

There are two main reasons why you have a higher chance of discovering a mispriced line to take advantage of when betting on player props. Firstly, the market is vast, and the volume of bets placed on each individual wager is relatively low. Secondly, numerous bettors have developed successful systems by utilizing various tools such as statistics, software, models, and their own handicapping to bet on player props.

Types of NFL player props

There is a wide variety of player props available, particularly for NFL and college football games.

A significant portion of these games are designed to cater to the performances of individual players. It is not surprising that these games predominantly emphasize positions requiring “skill.”

  • Quarterback
  • Running back
  • Receivers
  • Tight end
  • Kickers

There is a wide range of options available for quarterbacks, especially when considering Sunday’s matchup between Washington and Kansas City. Let’s focus on the player props for Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ exceptional quarterback who ranks among the best in the league.

You can place your bets on Mahomes’ performance against the WFT.

  • Passing yards: Over/under 311.5
  • Passing TDs: Over/under 2.5
  • Rushing yards: Over/under 17.5
  • Passing attempts: Over/under 39.5
  • The challenge is to guess if the longest pass will be above or below 38.5 yards.
  • Passing completions: Over/under 26.5
  • Interceptions: Over/under 0.5

Similarly, the available choices for Washington’s quarterback Taylor Heinicke align with those of Mahomes. Nonetheless, due to Heinicke’s less impressive track record as a journeyman, his prop bets appear slightly altered. For instance, his projected numbers are lower for passing yards (267.5), passing touchdowns (1.5), and various other categories.

A note on NFL player props

When you’re new to player props, the wagering menu can seem overwhelming at first. With such a wide range of options available, it’s natural to feel a bit inundated.

The range of options expands further as we approach kick-off, with the oddsmakers introducing a greater variety of markets.

It is important to note that player props often have lower betting limits. Although you can wager large sums of money on the primary NFL markets, prop bets are typically limited to a few hundred dollars each.

Why? It’s because the sportsbooks are aware that skilled bettors have the ability to discover favorable lines that they can capitalize on and take advantage of.

For the majority of casual bettors, there is usually no need to be concerned about the maximum betting limits. However, similar to any other wager, it is advisable to explore different VA sports betting apps as they are likely to offer varied lines and odds.

If you’re new to all of this, start with small bets and make sure to enjoy the process. Remember, you don’t have to bet on every game. With many football games left in the 2021-2022 season, it’s wise not to exhaust your betting budget in Week 6.

Photo by AP / Matt Slocum
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Dann Stupp

Dann Stupp, a veteran sports journalist, has contributed his writing and editing skills to various renowned outlets such as The Athletic, USA Today, ESPN, and MLB.com. Currently, he resides in Lexington, Virginia.

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