We’re only in Week 3 of the NFL season, and it’s already backup quarterback hours. Several teams have turned to their backups due to early-season injuries, and the Washington Commanders are one such team. With Marcus Mariota under center, Washington has to contend with a feisty Las Vegas Raiders squad. It sure makes the player props market for this game interesting.
The Commanders are favored by 2.5 points and hold -162 odds on the moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Raiders have +136 odds of winning outright, with the game total set at 43.5. There are numerous ways to get involved in the action beyond simply backing a side. This article will look at my three favorite prop bets for this Week 3 game between the Commanders and the Raiders.
Commanders vs. Raiders Best Prop Bets
Marcus Mariota Less Than 29.5 Rushing Yards
If there’s one thing the Raiders have done well so far, it’s stopping the run, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. In Week 1, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye ran four times for 11 yards despite dropping back more than 50 times. Justin Herbert scrambled nine times in Week 2 but only put up 31 total yards. Marcus Mariota has the best reputation as a runner among the three quarterbacks, but I’m counting on the Raiders’ defense to bottle him up.
Ashton Jeanty Under 60.5 Rushing Yards
The Raiders’ run game is not going well through two weeks. They certainly invested in the run by taking the Heisman Trophy runner-up, but Ashton Jeanty has yet to get anything going. Across two games, Jeanty has toted the rock 30 times for 81 yards. Some of that is a rookie running back learning the playbook and NFL pace, and some is that the run blocking has looked atrocious.
Washington has been solid against the run through two games. They have a potent formula with Da’Ron Payne and Javon Kinlaw eating blocks so that linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner can clean it up. The Jeanty breakout game is coming, but not this week.
Terry McLaurin 50+ Receiving Yards
After a prolonged contract negotiation in the offseason, Terry McLaurin is off to a rough start. Washington’s star receiver has seven catches for 75 yards through two weeks. It doesn’t help his prospects that Jayden Daniels won’t be playing on Sunday, but this Raiders secondary certainly helps.
Through two games, Vegas is 27th in passing yards allowed, despite having a favorable game script last week against the Chargers. With their stout run defense, the Commanders will have to lean on their receivers to pick up chunks and move the chains. Marcus Mariota doesn’t have a lot of passing upside, but he will fixate on his WR1 to get the job done.
