The Week 13 edition of NFL Sunday has arrived with a 12-game slate. There are four teams on a bye this week. Next week is the final week for bye weeks, so the prop card is going to open up for the final three weeks of the regular season.
The big game for Week 13 is the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. That’s a monster of a game that could decide the AFC East in Orchard Park.
Entering game action in Week 13, 26 of the 32 NFL teams are either currently in a playoff spot or within just one game of the final spot in their conference standings.
So much left to be decided and the vast majority of the NFL is still in the hunt.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 1, 2021
The Patriots are at their best right now, but they’re on the road in a primetime spot versus a rival in a hostile environment. It’s going to be the most intimidating and pressure game of Mac Jones’ young career.
We’ll see how the rookie handles it. Whether it goes well or not, this is going to be great experience for Jones. TheSportsGeek will have the prop card covered for Monday night.
This matchup stands well above the rest in Week 13. The Chargers and Bengals look like it could be a good one in the early window on Sunday.
Head below for our best NFL Week 13 prop bets for December 5, 2021.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans Props
Jonathan Taylor Total Receptions
Jonathan Taylor is having himself a year for the Colts. He has gained 1,205 yards and 14 touchdowns on 5.8 yards per carry going into Week 13.
Taylor has been contributing as a receiver out of the backfield as well. Carson Wentz has been playing well, and Taylor isn’t getting enough credit for that.
Everything is opening up downfield because of Taylor running well. He also must be watched as a receiver. Taylor has 336 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9.3 yards per reception.
Wentz has locked onto him recently, as Taylor has 13 receptions in his last three games. He has at least 3 receptions in five of his last six outings. There’s a good chance of another today.
Tyrod Taylor Total Rushing Yards
Tyrod Taylor isn’t in the best situation in Houston, but he’s hanging in there and playing as hard as he can. His situation was good in Los Angeles with the Chargers before a team doctor punctured his lung.
The 32-year-old veteran has passed for 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 62.8% completions. I’m not so sure what else to expect from Tyrod. He’s shooting par for the course on a bad Texans team.
He has some legs and can scramble for yards if there isn’t anything available. That was his best asset coming into the NFL out of Virginia Tech. He might have more mileage on his legs now, but can still scamper.
Taylor goes into this afternoon with 136 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 8.5 yards per carry. He’s gained a minimum of 23 rushing yards in four of five starts this season.
In an offense lacking star power, expect him to take off on the ground against the Colts.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Props
Austin Ekeler Total Receiving Yards
This is a big game in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon. I’m most looking forward to this one from the Sunday slate. It has the makings of a good 4th quarter.
If the Chargers are going to leave Cincinnati with a win after a shoddy performance in Denver last week, they must get the ball to Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler.
Ekeler is a dynamic running back that can do a little bit of everything in the Chargers’ offense. He’s going into Sunday with 604 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry.
His ability as a pass-catcher separates him from a lot of other running backs in the NFL. Through Week 12, Ekeler has 473 yards and 7 touchdowns on 9.3 yards per reception.
He’s been a major contributor as a receiver the last two weeks, with 6 receptions and 65 yards with 2 touchdowns versus the Steelers, and then 6 more receptions with 68 yards and a touchdowns in Denver.
This receiving prop doesn’t look high enough on Ekeler.
Joe Mixon Total Rushing Yards
The Chargers must draw up something to stop Joe Mixon. However, the Chargers haven’t had the personnel to push back against many running backs this season.
They’ve had a lot of trouble stopping opposing running attacks. For the Chargers to take the next step to being a contender, they have to be better in the trenches.
The Chargers are dead last in the NFL against the run with 145.3 yards allowed per game. That’s rough and puts the offense in a tough spot.
Mixon has been churning right through this season with 924 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry. He’s coming off two standout performances with 123 yards versus the Raiders, and then 165 yards versus the Steelers this past week.
Expect the Bengals to feed Mixon often in this one. This should make it easier on Joe Burrow, but Mixon is likely the center of their game plan on Sunday. He should have another 100-yard afternoon.
Justin Herbert Total Passing Yards
Justin Herbert is looking for a bounce back performance after a lousy effort at Mile High in Week 12. While Herbert had 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, he also threw 2 interceptions including a pick-6.
Despite the shaky performance, Herbert has been playing well this season with 3,230 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
He is only one interception away from eclipsing the 10 interceptions from last year, but will pass his 31 touchdown passes from his rookie campaign in 2020.
The Chargers have to be better in the trenches, while Cincinnati has to improve on the backend defensively. The Bengals are 25th against the pass.
Herbert has passed for at least 300 yards in three of his last four attempts. Looking to improve after coming up short in Week 12, expert Herbert to pass for more than 300 yards versus a beatable secondary.
New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins Props
Mike Glennon Total Passing Yards
Mike Glennon is officially in for the Giants at quarterback. Daniel Jones was unable to clear a medical check due to a neck injury. Giants’ fans might be happy to see Jones off the field, but be careful what you wish for.
Glennon hasn’t been in a true starting role since 2013 and 2014 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had his best season as a rookie in 2013 with 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
After 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions the following year, Glennon has received spot appearances, most notably last year with the Jaguars.
Glennon had 1,072 yards with 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions to reinforce why he hasn’t been a starter.
In one appearance this year, Glennon had 196 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions on October 10 versus the Cowboys. He’s up against a Dolphins’ defense that is playing better recently.
Cam Newton struggled on 5 of 22 passing with 92 yards and P.J. Walker connected on 5 of 10 passing for 97 yards last week. They also threw a combined 3 interceptions.
It’s hard to see Glennon doing too much at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
Saquon Barkley Total Rushing Yards
The Giants have to keep feeding Saquon Barkley in this one. I don’t care if it’s not working in the first-half, the Giants have to stick with Barkley and hopefully get a spark out of him.
With this season in the tubes, getting Barkley going and regaining his confidence has to be high on their to-do list in December. He just hasn’t been at his best this season.
Coming off a serious ankle injury, Barkley hasn’t been in good form. He enters Week 13 with 260 yards and 2 touchdowns on 3.6 yards per carry through seven outings.
Mike Glennon is starting for the Giants, so you have to think the Giants go to Barkley more often in this one. The Dolphins have been solid, but not unbeatable with 105 rushing yards allowed per game.
This looks like a spot for Barkley to have a serviceable game with some decent numbers on the board.
Jaylen Waddle Total Receiving Yards
The Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle reunion has been going well for the Dolphins. The former Crimson Tide stars are developing quite a rhythm.
Waddle is coming off a career-high with 137 yards and a touchdown on 9 receptions. This was after 8 receptions and 65 yards versus the Giants.
The rookie feels like he’s back at Alabama catching passes from Tua. He hasn’t gotten much recognition, but is compiling a nice rookie campaign in Miami.
Waddle is going into this one with a total of 759 yards and 4 touchdowns on 9.9 yards per carry. He’s grabbed a minimum of 65 yards in three of his last four outings.
As the chemistry continues to build, look for Tua to look Waddle’s way often on Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams Props
Matthew Stafford Total Passing Yards
The Los Angeles Rams are on a three-game losing streak and in danger of dropping to 7-5 on the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They are coming off a 36-28 at Lambeau Field last week. It was a competitive game, but the Packers were able to make the extra plays.
Matthew Stafford 302 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. He was fine, but was unable to overcome a weak defensive performance.
Stafford is going into this one back at home with 3,316 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Off a loss in their first game back home in three games, he should be able to dice up the Jaguars.
This is a confidence building game for the Rams. Stafford should finish with more than 300 yards passing at SoFi Stadium in this one.
Cooper Kupp Total Receptions
Cooper Kupp was almost blanked in the first-half last week at Lambeau. The Packers put a lid on him and didn’t allow Kupp to get free.
Despite the Packers doing a terrific job at containing Kupp in the first-half, he finished with 7 receptions and 96 yards. Silencing him for a full 4 quarters is not the simplest assignment.
Stafford’s favorite target has 92 receptions, 1,237 yards, and 10 touchdowns going into Sunday. They quickly developed a bond and it’s going strong in December.
Kupp has recorded 8+ receptions in four of his last six games. His receptions can add up in a hurry quickly. At a fairly bettable price, Kupp should have 8 or 9 total receptions.
