3 best player prop bets for Carolina Panthers at Saints in Week 17
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
- Under 195.5 passing yards (-125)
It came as no surprise to see Matt Rhule go back to Sam Darnold this week, naming the former first-round pick as the starter for Week 17. Whether Cam Newton sees the field at any stage is still unclear, but this appears to be one final opportunity for the USC product to audition for the job in 2022.
Darnold came back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and turned in an underwhelming performance, for the most part. Although playing behind such a porous offensive line would be hard for any signal-caller.
The Carolina Panthers gave up three draft picks to land Darnold from the New York Jets and also triggered his fifth-year option before the campaign began. This means that Rhule is tied to this quarterback for good or bad and although disappointing for most fans, Newton simply didn’t do enough to entirely remove him from the equation.
It was an impressive first outing against the New Orleans Saints earlier this season from Darnold. But the player’s regression since coupled with a rejuvenated defense he’s coming up against makes it difficult to say with any confidence the same level of production will come.
The Saints will see this as a chance to make a big statement. And we all know what Darnold’s decision-making turns into when the heat is on.
With that being said, backing Darnold to throw under 195.5 passing yards at -125 (bet $125 to win $100) could be the play.