The long wait is over. Football season has arrived, and bettors are itching to get back into their sportsbooks. The NFL opener is always an exciting matchup because it features the defending Super Bowl champion.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. The kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 PM ET. Betting the game straight up is fun, but props make the game much more exciting.
Here are the top five NFL player props for Thursday Night Football.
Dak Prescott: Under 292.5 Passing Yards (-115)
Dak Prescott will be back on the field since his gruesome leg injury nearly one year ago. This will excite the Cowboys’ offense, but Prescott has struggled throughout camp. This does not equate to him going over 292.5 passing yards.
The Buccaneers’ defense is intense, and this will show on Thursday. I expect Dallas to try to run the football because Prescott is nursing a shoulder injury from camp. Just because the team has Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb does not mean Prescott will go over.
Tom Brady: Over 306.5 Passing Yards (-115)
Tom Brady may be aging on paper, but he is still one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Tampa Bay was successful in 2020 because Brady was efficient in the pocket. The quarterback threw the ball 610 times in 2020, and he ranked second in completions.
Additionally, he was third in yards per game with 289.6. Brady is a big-game quarterback, and he will have all his weapons back this season. He will also have the same starting offensive line as last season.
This is a recipe for him going over 306.5 passing yards. When this is combined with the Buccaneers’ defense, the team should have a lot of possessions.
Chris Godwin: Over 4.5 Receptions (-125)
With Brady throwing the football all over the field, Chris Godwin is going to get targets. He had a breakout campaign in 2020 where he caught 86 passes for 1,333 yards. The receiver will play a more significant role with the franchise this season.
Godwin has looked great in camp, and he will be one of the team’s top targets this season. The Cowboys’ defense was in the bottom third for passing defense in 2020. Godwin is going to have a big night.
Ezekiel Elliott: Over 79.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
Zeke will play a massive role on Thursday night. All great teams can run the football, so I expect the Cowboys to pound the rock. Additionally, Prescott’s shoulder injury will force the team to run the ball early.
Zack Martin will not play because of COVID-19. He is a great run blocker, but he will also be missed in the passing game. Zeke hits 80 yards on Thursday evening.
Longest Completion: Dak Prescott Over 38.5 Yards (-115)
I expect the Cowboys to fall behind in this game. This will force the Cowboys to take shots down the field. Additionally, the team has playmakers who can make people miss in the open field. The combination of this makes the over of 38.5 very appealing.
Read our in-depth Cowboys vs. Buccaneers week 1 preview.
