There are two games in the NFL scheduled for Christmas Day. NFL football on Christmas isn’t a usual concept. We typically only have the NBA, but because it’s a Saturday, there’s college football, NFL, and the NBA.
If you really want a college bowl game it’s there. Georgia State and Ball State in the Camellia Bowl doesn’t exactly do it for me, so I’m taking a pass and focusing on the NFL and NBA.
In the first of two games on Christmas, the Cleveland Browns are at Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Baker Mayfield has cleared Covid protocol and is slated to make his first start at Lambeau in his career.
Another Christmas in the trenches ? #CLEvsGB | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/hjoQGVtEkY
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 25, 2021
The Browns need Mayfield back at this critical point of the season. They are 7-7 and could go anywhere from here. Even with Mayfield under center, it’s going to be tough for the Browns to figure this one out on Christmas.
They are coming off a 16-14 loss in the postponed Covid game on Tuesday. On a very short week with little time to prepare for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, it’s not going to be the easiest assignment at Lambeau.
Green Bay edged out the Ravens as 9.5-point favorites last week. In another John Harbaugh 2-point attempt special, the Ravens failed to convert and lost by a point again. It was the Packers’ third straight win and fourth in their last five outings.
Head below for our best Browns vs. Packers prop bets for December 25, 2021.
David Njoku Total Receiving Yards
David Njoku missed time with the Cleveland Browns and finally made his return to the field on December 20. It was his first game action since November 28 versus the Baltimore Ravens.
In his fifth season in the NFL, Njoku is having one of his best seasons as a professional. He had a career-high 639 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2018 and hasn’t gotten back to that level until 2021.
The Browns are at their best when they get Njoku involved in the passing game. He is going into Lambeau Field with 436 yards and 3 touchdowns on 14.5 yards per reception.
Njoku has recorded at least 20 yards in his last three attempts. In his most recent outing, Njoku had 3 receptions for 29 yards against the Raiders.
This came after a 35-yard effort with a touchdown against the Ravens before going on the Covid list. At 18.5 yards on his receiving yards prop, Njoku looks like a nice option in the first game on Christmas.
A.J. Dillon Total Rushing Yards
The Green Bay Packers have a well-balanced offense with two capable running backs in their backfield.
This isn’t the Aaron Rodgers show at Lambeau, though his ability to open things up downfield does allow A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones to find room.
In his second season in the NFL, Dillon has been hard to keep off the field. He continues to get better and should have a solid NFL career.
Dillon gained 242 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5.3 yards per carry as a rookie. The potential was there for Dillon, but the Packers didn’t give him enough touches.
In his sophomore season, Dillon is seeing more work. He’s one member of a backfield that is led by Jones and Dillon.
Dillon is going into Christmas with 636 yards and 3 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry. He’s galloped for a minimum of 53 yards in four of his last five games.
Since October 22 against the Cardinals, Dillon has 58 yards per game. After a lighter workload last week, expect Dillon to get back to his regular duties on Saturday. This prop looks too low at 46.5 rushing yards.
