TNF player props: Vikings seek princely performance vs. Steelers

We don't like to brag - that's what the money is for - but last Thursday was particularly fun. Ezekiel Elliott almost ruined our night, but he narrowly stayed under his yardage total for a dramatic winner. The real thrill, though, was cashing Lil'Jordan Humphrey anytime touchdown at +850 for our second straight "TD that probably won't happen" winner.

With the Vikings hosting the Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 14, there's only one musicologist who can help us keep our groove: the artist forever known as Prince.

Purple Rain

I like the Vikings in this game, but at his advanced football age, in a "Sign o' The Times," Ben Roethlisberger might be better suited to playing indoors. Fortunately, we can combine these theories for our player-usage prop as we try to improve to 6-3 in this midweek venture.

The Vikings will be able to run on the Steelers, which should create an even divide between passing and rushing success for Minnesota. The Vikings' run defense isn't great, but the potential returns of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks at linebacker combined with Pittsburgh's inability to create lanes for Najee Harris should force Big Ben to use his arm. Minnesota allowed Jared Goff to throw it around, so Roethlisberger shouldn't have trouble clearing a relatively pedestrian number while a frustrated Harris applies for "Emancipation" from the Steelers' offense.

Pick: Ben Roethlisberger over 258.5 passing yards

A TD that's definitely going to happen

I won't be causing any "Controversy" in saying the Steelers don't have anyone to cover Justin Jefferson. At this point, almost no team does, as Jefferson is starting to look like "1999" Randy Moss out there.

With Adam Thielen out on a short week, we can confidently expect Kirk Cousins to increase Jefferson's red-zone target share while also taking a few "Uptown" shots from deep. Connecting on just one such try would see Jefferson join Randall Cobb, Nyheim Hines, and Dalton Schultz in our "Little Red Corvette" of tongue-in-cheek guaranteed winners.

Pick: Justin Jefferson anytime touchdown (+100)

A TD that probably won't happen ... but maybe it does

It wasn't cause to splurge on "Diamonds and Pearls," but Humphrey's touchdown last week made it two in a row and put us in the black for these long shots at 2-6 (+8 units).

"Let's Go Crazy" and make a prediction: Cousins will check down to a fullback. C.J. Ham has just 12 receptions this season, but he's had catches of 27, 16, and 19 yards over the last five games. In a coach's mind, that equates to success. Those 12 catches have also come on 12 targets; Ham has yet to drop a pass this season. In a coach's mind, that equates to reliability.

If the Vikings get near the goal line, the Steelers might triple-team Jefferson or focus on Alexander Mattison - prompting Cousins to tell Ham in the huddle, "U Got The Look."

Pick: C.J. Ham anytime touchdown (+1200)

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

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