2 NFL Player Props for Week 8: Steelers vs Packers

Aaron Rodgers battles his former team in Steelers vs Packers on Sunday Night Football. 

In addition to the pregame spread and total, bettors can now find NFL odds for player props at the BetMGM online sportsbook. 

Below, I’ve outlined a pair of player prop predictions for the AFC vs. NFC contest. Odds are reflective at time of writing and are subject to movement. 

Steelers vs Packers Prediction: Player Props

Chris Boswell Over 1.5 Field Goals Made (-125)

Boswell has struggled against this prop of late. After two successes in his first two games, he stayed under this benchmark once in his last four. 

The successes have come against above-average defenses. 

Boswell finished 3-for-4 against the Browns, which ranks fifth in defensive DVOA. He also kicked two field goals against Seattle, which ranks second, per ftnfantasy.com. 

Regarding Green Bay, the team’s defense ranks well in points per game (10th). However, they’ll generally allow teams to move the ball. 

Green Bay ranks 12th in defensive success rate, including 15th against the run. Over the last two weeks, 19th and 22nd vs. Cincinnati and Arizona. 

Given that Pittsburgh ranks fifth in rush offense DVOA, I expect they can move the ball on the Packers. 

However, Pittsburgh’s offense remains inexperienced against good defenses. That’s likely contributing to a 72% red zone conversion rate. 

Accordingly, Boswell could expect a higher workload. Based on those factors, I predict he clears this number for the second time in three games. 

Kenneth Gainwell Over 2.5 Receptions (-105)

If there’s a glaring matchup advantage for Green Bay, it’s the pass rush against Pittsburgh’s offensive line. 

Pittsburgh ranks 28th in pass-block win rate, per ESPN. The Packers defensive line ranks sixth in the corresponding defensive metric. 

That’s to suggest Rodgers could dump off to a running back more frequently than normal. Already, he has targeted Gainwell at a high rate. 

Gainwell ranks second to D.K. Metcalf in targets against zone coverage (13). The Packers run that scheme at a 73% clip. 

He also cleared this benchmark in two of his last three games and four of six this season. 

On Sunday, Gainwell plays a Packers defense that surrenders receptions to running backs at a high rate. 

Only Indianapolis, San Francisco and Seattle allow more passes to backs per game than Green Bay. 

At least one back has cleared this number vs Green Bay in three of six. However, one failure (Cincinnati) saw two backs combine for four receptions. 

Based on those factors, I predict Gainwell clears this line for the fifth time this year. 

Anytime Touchdown Scorer Odds: Steelers vs Packers