For the second week in a row, an NFC West showdown takes center stage in a primetime slot on Thursday Night Football. In Week 5, the Los Angeles Rams host the San Francisco 49ers for a rivalry game with high stakes, but the Niners find themselves in desperation mode with several key offensive starters sidelined due to injury. With that stipulation, the team will undoubtedly lean on Christian McCaffrey as the heartbeat of the attack once more.
Here are the top Christian McCaffrey prop bets to consider for 49ers at Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 5.
Best Christian McCaffrey prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Just as everyone hoped for prior to the season, Christian McCaffrey finds himself fully healthy through the first few weeks of action. After a scare related to a minor calf issue just before Week 1, the fact the star halfback is still going strong does look like an encouraging sign. Unfortunately, it seems the remainder of the offense may have been sacrificed to ensure a clean slate of health for McCaffrey. Brock Purdy won’t play with a toe issue, breakout receiver Ricky Pearsall has a knee problem, and Jauan Jennings has rib and ankle injuries. With George Kittle still nursing a hamstring that placed him on IR after Week 1, this group of weapons remains absolutely decimated.
It bodes very poorly for the 49ers, but the signs point toward monster volume for McCaffrey. Through four weeks, the star has handled 69 carries, the sixth-most of any halfback, and taken those attempts 225 yards, 23rd-most. He’s been less than efficient with just 3.3 yards per carry, however, he’s more than made up for it in the receiving game. One of the best pass catchers in the NFL not only at his own position but among any skill-position group, McCaffrey paces all running backs with 40 targets, 31 receptions, 305 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Perhaps the most incredible statistic is that he ranks fourth among all players in target share at 30.7%, even including wide receivers and tight ends.
This absolutely gives us a recipe for success when it comes to betting lines. The best prop bet to target for McCaffrey in this Thursday Night Football tilt is over 52.5 receiving yards. With Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson and Jake Tonges headlining other options in the passing game, the dual-threat halfback will likely pace all of the above in receptions. The surrounding weapons aren’t great, and Mac Jones may have to take checkdowns often against a strong Rams defense which will pressure him throughout the contest. With absurd projected volume, McCaffrey can easily go over this 52.5-yard mark tonight just as he did in three of four games so far this season. How many receiving yards did he rack up the one time he missed it? An even 52, so he came close to going four for four on this receiving total.
Add the fact the 49ers will likely trail throughout the contest, and suddenly the game script looks even better for McCaffrey to soak up a ton of receptions. It may be an ugly contest for his team, but the superstar’s final stat line will reflect just how great of a pass catcher he is.
Best Bet: Christian McCaffrey over 52.5 receiving yards (-113)
