It’s been a weird season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Joe Burrow has enjoyed the finest season of his career, winning AFC Offensive Player of the Month in November. Wide receiver Tee Higgins has started to find his form since returning from a quadriceps injury. Yet, the Bengals sit and just 4-8, all but eliminated from playoff contention and desperately needing a win against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football to turn around their season.
If Cincinnati wins on Monday night, Higgins will be a major reason why. Burrow’s WR2 has put up solid stats despite limited playing time, recording 43 catches, 558 yards, and five scores despite playing just seven games. He had a particularly brilliant performance in a November 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, turning his nine receptions into 148 yards and a touchdown.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Bengals are five-point favorites to beat the Cowboys, and the point total is set at 50. Below, I’ve identified my favorite prop bet centered around Higgins.
Best Tee Higgins Prop Bet on DraftKings Sportsbook
Tee Higgins O5.5 Receptions (-145)
When Cincinnati has the ball on Monday night, it will truly be an immovable-object-meets-unstoppable-force situation. The Bengals take to the air on 64.3% of offensive plays, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. Meanwhile, opposing signal-callers have challenged the Cowboys secondary just 347 times this season, the fewest of any team in the league. I expect those factors to cancel each other out, which is why I like Higgins to record at least six receptions.
Despite the presence of three-time Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase in the Cincinnati wide receiver room, Higgins has actually led the team with a 28.7% target share. He has received double-digit targets in four of his seven games so far this season, and his snap counts have been progressively increasing throughout the year as he has worked his way through some nagging injuries.
Especially with former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs — who is questionable with knee and groin injuries — likely to shadow Chase for much of the game, expect Burrow to target Higgins early and often tonight. Meanwhile, Diggs’ secondary partner, 2023 All-Pro selection DaRon Bland, is still working his way back from a foot injury and was shaky in his first two games this season, so Higgins’ above-average athleticism will present a challenge.
Plus, while Dallas’ defense ranks well by volume statistics since it is rarely targeted, it fares less well by rate statistics. The Cowboys have allowed opposing passers to post a 96.4 passer rating, a little worse than league-average efficiency, and Burrow ranks fourth with a 107.4 passer rating. Expect him to have no problem carving up the Dallas defense, which should lead to big statistical performances for both Higgins and Chase.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user 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 skills 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.
