Despite injury and inefficiency struggles, the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars have to be pleased with their start. San Francisco leads the NFC West with its 3-0 record, while the Jaguars look solid at 2-1. Now both teams have the chance to assert themselves in Week 4. And this game will be chock-full of intriguing player props.
The 49ers are 3.5-point favorites for this contest on DraftKings Sportsbook. If you fancy a Jaguars upset, they’re at +154 on the moneyline. The total for this game is set at 46.5. Let’s dig into my favorite Jaguars vs. 49ers prop bets.
Jaguars at 49ers Best Prop Bets
Christian McCaffrey 7+ Receptions (+144)
Christian McCaffrey is no stranger to absurdly high usage. But he’s taking it to a new level this season. McCaffrey has taken on 74% of the team’s carries out of the backfield while drawing 29.1% of the targets, both marks easily leading the 49ers. He’s drawn 10, seven and 15 targets in their first three games, leading to nine, six and 10 receptions. When they have nothing going offensively, checking down to McCaffrey has been their best option.
With the 49ers down their top targets in George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, they’ll lean on McCaffrey once again to move the chains.
Travis Hunter Under 3.5 Receptions (-142)
It seems the Jaguars have decided where they value Travis Hunter’s presence, at least for this season. In Week 1, the Heisman winner played 42 offensive snaps compared to six on defense. In Week 2, he stuck with 42 offensive snaps while playing 43 defensive snaps. He once again took 43 defensive snaps in Week 3, but only took 37 offensive snaps.
Here are his receiving lines from Weeks 1-3, in order of targets/receptions/yards: 8/6/33, 6/3/22, 2/1/21. Head coach Liam Coen is choosing to deploy his chess piece defensively and let other receivers like Parker Washington and Dyami Brown take the receiver snaps. Even if Hunter were to play more this week, he’s facing a rookie slot corner in Upton Stout, who has excelled so far. Fade Hunter all the way.
Ricky Pearsall Longest Reception Over 23.5 Yards
If there’s one thing Brock Purdy is elite at, it’s throwing deep outs beyond the sticks. That has been a great benefit to Ricky Pearsall, who looks like a breakout star in his second season. In Week 1, Pearsall pulled in four balls for 108 yards with a long of 45. The Saints kept him contained in Week 2, with four catches for 56 yards and a long of 15. Then he got back on track against the Cardinals, reeling in eight passes for 117 yards. His 34-yard catch down the sideline was the play of the game for San Francisco.
Jacksonville’s secondary has looked good, but Pearsall is finding himself open more often than not. With Purdy back under center, expect more big plays from Pearsall.
