Super Bowl props: The wide receivers

We very nearly got a rematch between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. Instead, we get Joe Burrow vs. Matt Stafford. I wouldn't call it a disappointing matchup as we get a young guy with a great track record in big games against a veteran looking to keep proving he can win the big one. 

While we might not have the best quarterbacks in the game in this year's Super Bowl, we do have a matchup of great receivers including the leading receiver in the league, Cooper Kupp (Rams), and this year's record-setting rookie Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals).

Betting Super Bowl Receiving Props

Betting receiving props in the Super Bowl is pretty much the same as betting them during the regular season. The only real difference is in the bet limits and there are more players on the board from which to choose.

Here is a look at the opening odds on receiver props for the Super Bowl

Top Targets

Cooper Kupp
105.5 Yards (-115)
8.5 Receptions - Over (+112)/Under (-148)

Kupp just completed one of the best statistical seasons for a receiver in NFL history. He has followed that with a strong postseason, too. If there is one certainty of the Rams on offense it is that he is going to get the ball as often as possible, and they are creative about using him.

In looking at his props, I like the over 8.5 receptions. He has posted 9 and 11 in the last two playoff games and went over this number more times than not during the regular season. Those totals look high, but they are well-justified.

Ja'Marr Chase
78.5 Yards (-115)
5.5 Receptions - Over (-130)/Under (-102)

Chase is scary with the ball in his hands. He is very shifty and strong and hard to get on the ground. Even though he is just a rookie, he is already among the best players in the game after the catch. He has had some monster games this season (two games over 200 yards receiving) but others in which he has been a total non-factor (six games under 50 yards). That boom-or-bust mentality makes him a much harder handicap than Kupp. 

Cincinnati knows how to get the ball to its playmakers and as the Bengals try to stymie the Rams pass rush, I am looking for them to get the ball out quickly. -130 is not what I want to pay, but the over on those receptions looks good. 

Secondary Targets

Odell Beckham Jr. (Rams)
62.5 Yards (-115)
5.5 Receptions - Over (+120)/Under (-160)

OBJ wound up playing eight games with the Rams, and while his play in the regular season was sporadic, he has looked increasingly comfortable in that blue uniform with time. His numbers have increased over the course of the three playoff games, so it is not like they are using him as a decoy.

I like his yards prop more than his receptions total, even though that juicy +120 is enticing. Beckham is a big-play guy, and the Rams are always looking to pop the big one. He is very capable of getting it all in one play with the right scheme.

Tee Higgins (Bengals)
69.5 Yards (-115)
5.5 Receptions  - Over (+106)/Under (-120)

The arrival of Chase took some of the shine off Higgins' second season. Higgins has all the tools to be an elite receiver, and his game logs show more consistency than Chase. His yards have gone up with each playoff game as he has gotten more and more involved in the offense. 

Similar to Chase, I like the receptions prop more than the yards. The strategy is the same. Get the ball out quickly and let him get the extra yards with his speed and big body. However, there is no extra premium.  

Van Jefferson (Rams)
33.5 Yards (-115)

Jefferson had a very strong second season in the NFL, improving in every category, which is impressive when you factor in the monster year Kupp had and the fact that he had to compete with OBJ once he arrived, too. He is averaging 16 yards per catch for the season, so he might just need a couple of targets. 

He had one catch for 41 yards in the Rams' first playoff win against Arizona. Since then he has not been much of a factor. I would lean to the over on his yards, but there are lots of props out there. No need to force this one

Tyler Boyd
39.5 Yards (-115)

Boyd is definitely underrated as the "old man" in the receiving corps for the Bengals. This number is well under his seasonal average of 52 ypg. He definitely has Joe Burrow's trust even if he is not the top option on most plays. He has not been very involved in the playoffs other than that controversial TD against the Raiders. 

Forty yards are not a lot for any receiver who is on the field as much as he is. Similar to Jefferson, I am likely to just take a pass on this one. I like the over better, but there is no rush at number or price.