Week 5 of the NFL season has already arrived, and the storylines of the season are beginning to take shape. It’s a full slate of games across the Sunday schedule, with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing off in the 4:05 p.m. ET window.
Injuries will be a factor for Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield battling through knee and biceps issues while Bucky Irving and Mike Evans each ruled out for the game. The NFL doesn’t wait on any individual or team, and the Buccaneers will look to power through without two of their offensive stars.
Looking at the odds, the Seahawks are 3.5-point favorites and hold -180 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Buccaneers hold +150 odds of producing an outright upset, and the game total is set at 44.5.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the action beyond just backing a side. This article will look at my three favorite prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for the Week 5 Seahawks vs. Buccaneers matchup.
Seahawks vs. Buccaneers Best Prop Bets
Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Record 7+ Receptions (-116)
Through the opening four games of the season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba ranks 15th in the NFL in targets, sixth in receptions, and second in receiving yards. He leads the Seahawks in each of these categories with his 34 targets being notably more than Cooper Kupp (20) and Tory Horton (10) combined as the next most productive pass catchers on the team. Smith-Njigba has 26 receptions for 402 yards and a touchdown this season. He has produced reception totals of nine, eight, five, and four to this point.
Looking at the matchup, the Buccaneers have an impressive overall defense that is at its strongest when defending against the run. Through the opening four games, they have given up just 340 total rushing yards, including Saquon Barkley being limited to 43 yards on 19 carries just last week. This is the most any primary running back has tallied against them this season. They rank fifth in rushing yards allowed and second in net yards per rush attempt overall.
Expect Seattle to combat this by attacking through the air. Smith-Njigba had at least seven catches in six of the 17 games he played last year, with this coming while DK Metcalf was still on the team. JSN is now the clear-cut top pass catcher on Seattle’s roster and will be called on often on Sunday evening. Tampa Bay allowed 10 receptions to Garrett Wilson, and Drake London tallied eight receptions against them already this year. Look for Smith-Njigba to follow suit and lead the Seahawks with at least seven receptions in the Week 5 matchup.
Emeka Egbuka Over 61.5 Receiving Yards (-114)
Mike Evans continues to battle his hamstring injury and will miss his second consecutive game this week. The future Hall of Famer leaves some massive shoes to fill, but 19th overall pick Emeka Egbuka has made his case for why he is capable of wearing them. Through his first four matchups, the Ohio State product has 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns.
On the surface, Seattle has a fairly impressive defense. They rank second in opponents’ points allowed and 11th in yards given up. Looking at their pass defense, the Seahawks rank 15th in passing yards allowed and 13th in passing touchdowns conceded.
In the first game played without Evans, Egbuka produced a career-best 101 receiving yards. He has tallied over 61.5 receiving yards in three of the four games overall and is being targeted just shy of eight times per game. Chris Godwin will command some targets and defensive attention as well, but Egbuka is making his case why he is ready to be looked at as the top pass catcher. Expect Mayfield to take a few downfield chances with the rookie and for Egbuka to be involved in the offense throughout. Don’t be shocked if this prop line continues increasing, and look for the rookie to eclipse 61.5 points for the fourth time this season.
Rachaad White to Record 60+ Rushing Yards (+193)
The Buccaneers’ rushing attack took a huge hit with the news that Bucky Irving will miss this matchup due to a foot issue. Irving has emerged as one of the top running backs in the league and has tallied 237 rushing yards and 193 yards through the air already this season. But it was not too long ago since Rachaad White was responsible for serving as the primary back in the Tampa Bay system, and look for him to pick up right where he left off.
So far this season, White has tallied 23 rush attempts for 108 yards and a touchdown. He is averaging just 5.75 rush attempts per game, but he tallied a season-high 10 rush attempts against the Texans, which he took for 65 rushing yards. In the 2023 season, White headlined the Buccaneers’ rushing attack and had 990 total rushing yards, or 58.2 per game. His standard rushing prop is set at 46.5 rushing yards on DraftKings Sportsbook. While I am backing this as well, I like the +193 odds of White rushing for 60+ yards for the second time this season.
Seattle has been strong against the run to this point, but it is worth noting that they have faced the 49ers, Steelers, Cardinals, and Saints to this point. Christian McCaffrey rushed for 69 yards, while adding 73 yards through the air, but all other opponents have fallen short of this rushing total. While Irving has taken the spotlight, there is a case to be made that White is the most talented running back the Seahawks have faced. He has impressed in brief stretches this season, so expect him to be hungry after waiting for his chance. Look for White to make the most of his opportunity and rush for 60+ yards for the second time this season and first as the featured running back.
