Week 7 player prop bets: Mayfield, Darnold poised to bounce back

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We're looking to bounce back after going 2-2 in player props last weekend. Fittingly, we'll start with a player hoping for a rebound of his own.

Here's what's on tap for Week 7.

Baker Mayfield over 235.5 passing yards

Mayfield was no match for the Steelers' defense last Sunday. He was sacked four times and threw two interceptions en route to a benching.

There aren't many quarterbacks who can get the better of a Pittsburgh defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL in adjusted sack rate, so Mayfield gets a pass there. Now, with one of the most favorable matchups on the board, the third-year quarterback is suddenly a buy-low candidate against the Bengals.

Cincinnati's defense is No. 30 in yards per completion allowed (11.6) and No. 29 in explosive pass rate. The Bengals are down some key bodies on the defensive line and won't have William Jackson, who's been their best cover corner this season.

If this Cincinnati defense gave up 371 yards and three touchdowns through the air to Philip Rivers and the Colts last weekend, can we really have any confidence it'll stop a Browns offense looking to get back on track?

Brandin Cooks over 62.5 receiving yards

Avoid Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander in this tilt. He shut down Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley last Sunday, allowing zero catches on five targets. Alexander is currently PFF's No. 2 cornerback and should draw the assignment of Texans burner Will Fuller in Week 7.

That leaves an opportunity for Cooks to become the focal point in a game that could open up - the total of 57 is the highest on this week's board.

Cooks caught all nine of his targets against the Titans last week after going off for eight catches, 161 yards, and one score in the previous contest. He's all of a sudden found his groove with Bill O'Brien's fingerprints nowhere near the game plan.

Hayden Hurst under 32.5 receiving yards

Hurst will have his hands full against the Lions this Sunday. Detroit linebackers Jamie Collins, Jarrad Davis, and Reggie Ragland form an elite coverage unit that's allowing the fewest yards per game to tight ends (19.2) in 2020.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hasn't targeted Hurst more than six times in a game since Week 2. Go under on the tight end's yards.

Sam Darnold over 215.5 passing yards

Plenty of factors have contributed to Darnold's struggles this season. Not only has the Jets' offensive game plan been spotty, but the schedule's been tough: Darnold's already faced a healthy Bills defense and three other units that currently rank top 11 in DVOA defense. Sunday's rematch against Buffalo will be the best matchup the third-year quarterback has seen this season.

The Bills quietly own the third-worst DVOA defense in the league and are struggling with injuries in the back seven. The Jets figure to be trailing as 10-point underdogs, so Darnold should be in pass-first mode.

This is a soft number bettors can feel comfortable going over on.

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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