Week 10's Sunday afternoon slate should be a good one, but the best of the day might be the Sunday Night Football game between the Chargers (5-3) and the 49ers (4-4). This one will feature plenty of star power, highlighted by a rushing duel between studs Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler. Since all eyes will be on this game on Sunday evening, we decided to highlight our favorite player and game props and make you some cash ahead of the holidays.
We have discussed this game in detail, and created DraftKings and FanDuel lineups for it as well. But this column is all about the props we have hand-selected as the most intriguing and the most potentially-lucrative on Sports Interaction and BetMGM.
Our prop betting has been very successful this season. Just two weeks ago, our BetMGM One Game Parlay for the Thursday Night Football game between the Eagles and the Texans hit and made readers $550 on $50 wagers. Six props up, six props down — like clockwork.
Let's get back into the spirit of winning, and knock out some player props for this Sunday's primetime game. The Chargers-49ers should be must-see TV, and playing along with some player and game props will make it even more enjoyable. Let's get some money!
WEEK 10 NFL PICKS: Against the Spread | Moneyline Picks | Best bets
Chargers at 49ers: Best touchdown player props
All TD props are from Sports Interaction.
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: First TD scorer (+375) or anytime TD scorer (-165)
I'm all over CMC this week — I featured him in my DraftKings lineup and made him my MVP in my FanDuel entry. The Chargers have allowed 10th-most rushing TDs in the NFL — and 12 total TDs to RBs — and Kyle Shanahan's offense always revolves around the running back. Personally, I recommend being conservative and betting CMC "to score a touchdown anytime," so you don't lose if he's the second TD scorer of the game thanks to a coin-flip or a pick-six or something silly. "First touchdown scorer" is the ultimate player prop trap, luring you in with plus-odds. But if you're going to be lured, McCaffrey's probably the best bet to get the scoring going. The Niners are coming off a Week 9 bye and have had extra time to scheme up ways for their best player to gash the weak Chargers rushing D.
Austin Ekeler, Chargers: Anytime TD scorer (+120)
Ekeler started a bit slower than expected this season, but here we are in Week 10 and he has accounted for 10 of the Chargers' 20 offensive touchdowns. The Niners have a solid rushing defense, don't get me wrong, but I think Ek will break the plane at some point in the game. With Keenan Allen (hamstring) not practicing and likely to miss yet another game, and fellow receiver Mike Williams (ankle) feared to be out another 2-4 weeks, the Bolts will need to continue riding their best skill player. Any opportunities near the goal line will go to Ekeler, early and often.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers: Anytime TD scorer (+705)
A sneak gets us $80 on a $10 bet? I'm in! Everyone on the Chargers D will be looking toward CMC, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, or George Kittle — so Jimmy G tucking his head down and forcing his way through the line makes a ton of sense if he winds up at the goal line at any point. And since L.A.'s secondary has been banged, battered, and bruised since J.C. Jackson's season-ending knee injury, we expect at least one major pass interference call near the end zone. Hey, this is way more fun than a $10 scratch ticket — and has way better odds of hitting!
Other TD props we like: Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, 49ers: Anytime scorer (+120); Josh Palmer, Chargers (+200)
Chargers at 49ers: Best receiving props
All receiving props from BetMGM.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: OVER 53.5 receiving yards (-120)
Samuel seems poised to make his first start since Week 7, but I like Aiyuk to continue building on the rapport he has shown with Jimmy G. The third-year receiver has caught 21 passes over the past three weeks, logging three touchdowns and 82 yards per game in the process. While the Chargers' depleted secondary schemes against McCaffrey, Samuel, and Kittle, don't be surprised to see the crafty Aiyuk find himself open and then make one of his customary yards-after-the-catch plays.
Other receiving props we like: Christian McCaffrey UNDER 35.5 yards (-120); George Kittle UNDER 42.5 yards (-120); Deebo Samuel OVER 50.5 (-120)
Chargers at 49ers: Best rushing prop
Rushing prop courtesy of BetMGM.
Chrisian McCaffrey, 49ers: OVER 79.5 rushing yards (-115)
Second verse, same as the first. The Chargers have allowed the fourth-most ground yards in the NFL, and CMC will be featured early and often coming out of the bye week. He put up 94 rushing yards on the Rams his last time out, and now he's rested and even more in tune with Shanny's offense. Fire him up, and enjoy Sunday Night Football!
