The 3 best prop bets for Rams-Bears
The prop market is one that bettors can capitalize on by finding edges on specific, individual matchups. Here are our three favorite prop bets for the game between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.
1st-quarter Over 9.5 (-130)
The Rams and Bears got off to slow starts last weekend versus the Detroit Lions and New York Giants, respectively, but expect both offenses to get back on track early in this one.
The Bears get back starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury. He's helped Chicago's offense score 31 points per game at Soldier Field, which ranks No. 7 in the NFL for team scoring at home this season. The Rams' offense needs no introduction, sitting behind only the Kansas City Chiefs in scoring at roughly 35 points per game. L.A. has been on fire in prime-time games this season, averaging more than 40 points per contest.
Despite the Bears' stout defense and a potentially rusty Trubisky, we like this number for the first-quarter over.
Robert Woods Under 75.5 receiving yards (-114)
The season-ending injury to Cooper Kupp thrust Woods into a larger role in the Rams' offense, but we don't love the matchup on Sunday night. With Woods playing more in the slot, he'll be seeing a lot of Bryce Callahan, the underrated slot corner and one of the underrated pieces of Chicago's defense. Callahan comes into Week 14 rated as the No. 5 defensive back in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to slot receivers.
Taylor Gabriel Under 42.5 receiving yards (-114)
First-year Bears wide receiver Taylor Gabriel started the season as one of Trubisky's go-to intermediate targets, seeing at least seven balls thrown his way in three of the first four games. But during the middle of the season, Trubisky started finding another favorite pass-catcher in Anthony Miller, which resulted in Gabriel seeing seven or fewer targets in five of six games before the quarterback went down with injury. Backup Chase Daniel loved looking Gabriel's way, throwing to him a combined 15 times over the previous two games. With Trubisky back, we like Gabriel's yards to go under the total of 42.5.
(All prop bets were taken from BetOnline.ag. Be sure to shop around for the best numbers and prices.)
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.