The first Sunday of the 2024 NFL season is upon us, and several marquee matchups will keep us on the edge of our seats in terms of game outcomes and individual performances.
Here are two player props — featuring quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Anthony Richardson — that caught our eye and are on our betting card this week.
NFL Week 1 player props
Dak Prescott under 1.5 passing touchdowns (-146, FanDuel)
Perhaps the Cowboys’ offense will be as effective as last season, dicing up opponents’ secondaries en route to another 12-5 season.
However, it is not likely based on how the offseason went for Dallas.
The Cowboys lost two key starting offensive linemen (Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz) and replaced them with rookies (Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe), which is hardly a recipe for immediate success.
Guyton’s reward for being a first-round pick and getting an immediate starting position at left tackle? He gets to match up against Myles Garrett, the best edge rusher in the NFL.
It’s safe to say that the Cowboys’ offense could experience an adjustment period, and Prescott’s air production will suffer as a result.
While Dallas has one of the league’s best receivers in CeeDee Lamb, it is incredibly thin at the position beyond that.
Lamb will also get a ton of attention from a Browns secondary that projects to be in a top-five NFL unit behind Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Newsome II.
Expect Cleveland to force Prescott to look elsewhere in the air, making players like Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson put together monstrous outings just to have a chance at moving the ball down the field.
Prescott was only pressured on 17% of dropbacks last season, but that number could be drastically higher in this game with a new-look O-line against one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.
The Cowboys will struggle to find the end zone on Sunday, which is why we’re fading Prescott’s passing touchdowns in this spot.
Anthony Richardson over 0.5 Interceptions (-125, DraftKings)
After playing just four games in his rookie season due to a season-ending shoulder injury, Richardson enters his second year with barely any experience.
This is more of a “Rookie Season – Part 2” than a sophomore campaign.
Analysts and fans seem to have polarizing views on Richardson’s potential. Some are already convinced he will be a bust, while others think he could be the second coming of Cam Newton.
This is a wait-and-see situation, but one thing is for certain: Richardson is raw.
He still has some mechanical issues to sort out; he can airmail passes, which has resulted in overthrowing a receiver.
Further, he doesn’t yet have the eye manipulation to trick cornerbacks and safeties, and accuracy remains a yellow flag.
Betting on the NFL?
As Richardson gains experience and improves his accuracy, especially in the short and medium pass ranges, he should be able to use his size, speed, strength and mobility to navigate the pocket and consistently make great plays on the run.
The Texans were in the middle of the pack last year in terms of interceptions, but you can bet DeMeco Ryans will turn the pressure up on Richardson.
Expect silly mistakes and inaccurate passes that result in at least one pick.
