The opening week of NFL football reached expectations. With three days of action in the books, the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers will finish off the week in the first Monday Night showdown. Aaron Rodgers will step back on the field after suffering a torn Achilles just four plays into his New York debut last year. With the rest of the team still holding Super Bowl aspirations, Rodgers will look to elevate them and start the season off against the reigning NFC champs.
San Francisco enters the matchup as four-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Jets are considered +170 underdogs on the moneyline and the game’s total is set at 43 points. While we have plenty of breakdowns regarding Pick6, DFS, and Fantasy Football expectations, here is a breakdown of a few of my favorite player props ahead of the first Monday Night Football matchup.
**Editors note 7:05 p.m. ET 9/9/24: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles/Ankle) will be inactive tonight vs. the Jets.
Breece Hall Anytime Touchdown: +110
While Aaron Rodgers will make the headlines, there is an argument to be made that Breece Hall is the most important part of the Jets offense. The third-year running back tallied 994 yards on the ground and 1,585 total from scrimmage last season. He also tallied nine touchdowns during the 17 games he played. This all occurred while Hall faced a strong defensive front almost exclusively focused on stopping him.
Expect more balance in the Jets offense to allow for more production. Hall is set to be the likely goal-line back and also a weapon in the passing game. He ranked third among running backs in yards per route run in 2023, and this very well might be something the Jets rely on as Rodgers finds his footing early on. With a guaranteed 20-25 touches coming his way, getting Hall at +110 odds to get in the end zone is great value. Look for him to start off the season strong and produce a Monday Night Touchdown.
Aaron Rodgers Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns: (+115)
It has been 610 days since Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown in the NFL. The four-time MVP has tallied 475 passing touchdowns in his career and has had to wait much longer for his first Jets touchdown than anticipated.
He will be looking to elevate a New York offense that has been starved of touchdown production. In 2023, they had just 11 passing touchdowns and 22 total as a team offensively. Rodgers has a solid receiving group that includes Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams and Allen Lazard. Also, expect Breece Hall to be used as a weapon in the passing game often.
He may not be the elite quarterback he was at his peak, but Rodgers will still be a massive step up from the production the Jets saw last year. There is enough talent on this Jets team for Rodgers to be more of a game-managing quarterback and still have success. Look for him to throw for at least a pair of touchdowns and, finally, get his Jets career started properly.
Garrett Wilson Over 69.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
No player will benefit from the addition of Aaron Rodgers more than Garrett Wilson. The third-year wide receiver has tallied over 1,000 yards in both seasons at the NFL level. He’s done so while dealing with quarterback play from Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, Tim Boyle, Joe Flacco and Mike White.
Wilson is one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL that has been stuck in a difficult situation. Rodgers will be the best quarterback player he has been paired with, and he should be expected to have a career year as a result. Wilson has had more than 69.5 receiving yards in a game 15 times in his career and holds an average of 9.3 targets per game.
Look for Rodgers and Wilson to begin climbing the list of best quarterback and wide receiver duos right from the opening week. For the level of talent he is, 69.5 yards is a low bar, so expect Wilson to start the season with a statement.
Deebo Samuel & Garrett Wilson to Combine for 150+ Receiving Yards (+175)
In addition to my optimism for Garrett Wilson, Deebo Samuel could be in for an increased workload in the opening matchup. Christian McCaffrey enters with a questionable tag after missing most of training camp. All signs point toward McCaffrey being available, but in either case, Samuel will be used heavily in the offense.
Last season, Samuel battled injuries and had a bit of a down season. He recorded 892 receiving yards or an average of 59.5 yards per game. However, just two years ago, Samuel averaged 87.8 yards per game. Both Wilson and Samuel have a solid chance of outperforming their numbers by a major margin and eclipsing 100 yards. Look for both wide receivers to have success and for them to tally over 150 yards in the matchup. Both Wilson and Samuel have big play potential and could knock a chunk of this yardage off in a single catch.
Brock Purdy to Record 125+ Passing Yards in Each Half (+300)
A bit more of a big swing, but +300 odds for Brock Purdy to throw for over 125 yards in each half feels like there is value on the board. The 49ers quarterback continues to prove why he is a legitimate high-level starting quarterback despite being a seventh-round pick. Last season, Purdy threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns through the air. This equates to 267.5 passing yards per game.
With so many weapons around him and an impressive offensive scheme, Purdy is in a perfect situation to succeed. The Jets have an impressive defense that will put up a fight. However, expect the 49ers to come in with a prepared game plan and be ready to chip away down the field. Though 125 yards in each half is a hurdle, if the game script allows, Purdy should have no problem clearing it. This feels much more like than the +300 odds would indicate and is worth taking a chance on.
Place your NFL bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
