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Sports Betting Fantasy Football Though they’re ultimately two different lenses, sports betting can provide some smart intel for fantasy football and how players are expected to perform. By looking at how sportsbooks — which do an incredible amount of research to land at their lines — are handicapping player props like yardage or total touchdowns, we can evaluate the likelihood of certain players surpassing certain statistical thresholds, which allows us to identify values in both the fantasy and betting worlds. Advertisement Blending fantasy and betting, I will scour the sportsbooks to find market inefficiencies tied to various props tied to pertinent fantasy players. Fade or follow? That, of course, is up to you. Below are Week 2 props. Matchup: vs. Panthers | 3% started in Yahoo leagues Bet Alytics prediction: 44. 1 rushing yards Bet MGM prop line: 34. 5 rushing yards (-110/-118)

OVER: Sometimes dudes don’t dupe the media. Before the season began, James Conner told reporters the Arizona backfield was a 1A-1B committee. It’s only a one-game sample size, but Week 1 in the Crescent City, the versatile veteran outsnapped the second-year upstart 43-to-22. However, most eye-opening, Benson displayed tremendous break-tackle strength, totaling 4. 38 yards after contact per attempt. His 52-yard rumble up the right sideline left fantasy managers’ mouths agape. Sure, it was the Saints, but if he continues to register 8-12 touches per game, he’s worth serious consideration when soft prop numbers post. The one above definitely qualifies as doughy. Carolina’s 2024 ineptness against the run carried over into the new season. The clawless Panthers allowed Travis Etienne to repeatedly gash them, ranking No. 27 in rush EPA D in Week 1. Fantasy Forecast: Benson has considerable Flex appeal in 12-team and deeper leagues. The bruising back is likely to again generate roughly 35% of the opportunity share, if not more. If Bryce Young registers another rancid performance, the sophomore RB could receive extended run, salting away the clock after halftime. Another 50+ rush yards with decent odds of splashing 6 are in the forecast. Matchup: at Vikings | 26% started Bet Alytics prediction: NA Bet MGM prop line: NA

OVER: A long shower is required after reading this recommendation. Clearly, this Pitts-burned fantasy manager and gullible gambler hasn’t learned his lesson. Yes, blare Cypress Hill in the background — featuring the consistent failure in this space is indeed “insane in the membrane. ” However, given the dinged wings of wide receivers Drake London (shoulder) and Darnell Mooney (shoulder) — they did practice this week — the TE’s target share could rise. Pitts caught 7-of-8 intended Michael Penix looks for a serviceable 59 yards last Sunday versus Tampa. It didn’t rock worlds by any stretch, but the pulse registered was noticeable. Minnesota only allowed 3 combined receptions for 43 yards to Bears TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet on Monday night. Due to the expected increased workload, the much-maligned plus-sized target takes one step closer to rebuilding trust. Advertisement Fantasy Forecast: Admittedly, there’s silly sauce coursing through the veins. It may be nutty, but the potential volume speaks. Whether on quick over-the-middle slants or downfield posts, Pitts does enough to warrant a top-10 ranking in PPR formats. A final tally of 4-5 receptions and 50+ yards with a TD is very possible. Yes, a head examination may be needed. Matchup: at Dolphins | 25% started Bet Alytics prediction: 227. 3 passing yards Bet MGM prop line: 216. 5 passing yards (-115/-115)

OVER: Love the Drake? Hate the Drake? After one week, even Elaine Benes would agree the heart pitter-pats for the Patriots passer. (Try saying that 10 times fast. ) Maye should prove to be money in the bank for willing dice rollers. The Dolphins dwell at No. 25 in dropback EPA defense after one week, an unsavory position they’ll likely be in the entire year. Just look at what they surrendered to an allegedly washed Daniel Jones last week — 272/1/0 passing, 26/2 rushing. A sharpened axe is approaching, Mike Mc Daniel. Maye uncorked often in Week 1 against the Raiders. On his 46 chucks, he totaled 282 pass yards. Yes, his No. 25 placement in adjusted completion percentage didn’t move the meter, but a No. 3 finish in total air yards among all NFL passers and his persistent downfield bombardments were quite appealing. In a game with shootout potential, fire a musket. Fantasy Forecast: Maye should have a quality QB1 day in 12-team and deeper formats. The Dolphins’ secondary is in the “league-worst” conversation. Along with a healthy vertical yardage total, bank on a pair of touchdowns and floor-raising 30+ rush yards. Matchup: at Saints | 2% started Bet Alytics prediction: 34. 6 receiving yards Bet MGM prop line: 38. 5 receiving yards (-115/-115)

OVER: Those who acquired the wide receiver for next to nothing off waivers earlier this week are presumably still shaking their Boutte. The under-the-radar wideout exploded versus a very torchable Raiders secondary. He was targeted 8 times, catching 6 passes for a game-best 103 yards. Even more impressive, under the microscope, the LSU product tallied the third-most air yards among Week 1 WRs (137). Some believe what he accomplished was merely a mirage, but it’s not like peak Randy Moss is still catching passes in New England. Barring injury, Stefon Diggs should lead Mike Vrabel’s club in targets this fall, but Boutte will earn plenty of opportunities — especially on explosive pass plays. With him expected to draw washed CB Rasul Douglas often in coverage, the lowly prop number above is laughable. In Week 1, the veteran DB allowed 18. 7 yards per catch. Advertisement Fantasy Forecast: The fantasy community may be divided on the receiver’s rest-of-season impact, but he’s likely no one-trick pony. The Dolphins’ secondary will be a bottom-feeder for much, if not the entire, NFL season. Given the matchup and opportunity, bet on Boutte to sizzle on South Beach. A final line in the vicinity of 5/65/1 is very possible. Follow the air yards. Matchup: vs. Eagles | 20% started Bet Alytics prediction: 5. 9 receptions Bet MGM prop line: 5. 5 receptions (-155/+115)

OVER: After Mr. Taylor Swift unintentionally took out teammate Xavier Worthy, Brown’s door of opportunity immediately swung wide open. Taking home all the Oscars in reception-heavy leagues, Hollywood stole the show in Brazil. Whether on quick hits or deep lasers from Patrick Mahomes, he racked up an obscene number of targets and catches. In the end, he finished with 10 grabs for 99 yards. Again, pure PPR bliss. At print time, it’s unclear how much, if at all, Worthy will play in Week 2. If he’s on the field and in a brace, he could play decoy, elevating the values of Brown and teammate Ju Ju Smith-Schuster. If that’s the case, the former Raven could once again revive his dirty worker short-field role. The veteran split time between the slot and outside in Week 1. When functioning as the X, look for him to feast. Philly CB Adoree’ Jackson is a giver. Last Thursday against the Cowboys, he surrendered 5 receptions (on 7 targets) and the most yards of any Week 1 corner. Light up the silver screen, Hollywood. Fantasy Forecast: If you backed up the truck to acquire Brown off waivers, get down. Worthy’s undetermined status clouds the forecast, but this protruding gut believes the PPR machine from Week 1 again revs the engine — especially in a game with a total in the high-40s. Trust him as a WR or Flex option in catch-friendly formats. (Photo of Trey Benson: Christian Petersen / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Known as "The Big Noise", Brad Evans, a FSWA Hall of Famer, is the most decorated writer/personality in fantasy sports history, one of the most accomplished NCAA basketball bracket predictors around and arguably the most transparent bettor you'll ever encounter. As owner/operator of TEAM HUEVOS, he relishes making bold predictions. Formerly of Yahoo Sports, Bally Sports and Sirius XM, he's spouted his boisterous opinions for nearly two decades. You can hear him daily on Bet MGM Tonight across Audacy stations nationwide and on the Audacy app. Check out his additional content on The Gaming Juice. Fade or follow? That's up to YOU!