NFL Week 15 player props: The highs and lows of a loaded weekend slate

The war of attrition that is the NFL season is slowly winding down, injury issues are piling up, and the schedule is packed with wonky matchups. So, while we'll still pepper some player props throughout Weeks 16-18, this is the final edition of our 10 best props for Sunday (and Saturday) in a last chance to improve a record that's barely above .500.

Jake Browning: Under 229.5 passing yards

Turning around the Vikings' defense seemed like it'd be some sort of miracle, but Brian Flores has done it. He started by blitzing at an alarming rate, taking advantage of lesser quarterbacks and making teams like the Bears and Raiders look completely non-functional. Jake Browning racked up good numbers against the Jaguars (24th in yards per pass attempt allowed) and Colts (23rd), but the Vikings (T-9th) are getting better by the week.

Najee Harris: Under 53.5 rushing yards

Surely new play-caller Mike Sullivan has noticed Najee Harris isn't the most efficient way to attack the Colts' defense. He's averaging just 3.25 yards per carry in Pittsburgh's last two games. Indy, which averaged 4.7 YPC allowed during Grover Stewart's six-game PED suspension, surrendered just 3.5 YPC after he returned last week. Harris would need 16 carries to top 53.5 rushing yards with that average, but the Steelers' best avenue to move the ball is using their perimeter playmakers.

Bryce Young: Over 188.5 passing + rushing yards

The Panthers return home after three straight road games to take on the Falcons. Atlanta's defense has been mediocre at best this season, and now the group is missing between three and five core defenders from its lineup. Bryce Young should be able to accumulate more than 200 total yards this Sunday.

DeAndre Hopkins: Over 59.5 receiving yards

Will Levis has found DeAndre Hopkins deep in five of his seven starts since taking over at quarterback for the Titans. He also targeted him a dozen times each in Weeks 13 and 14. Whether Hopkins picks up chunk yardage or submits the Texans' shaky pass defense (30th in YPA allowed) to death by a thousand paper cuts, this number is too short.

Ezekiel Elliott: Under 84.5 rushing + receiving yards

Ezekiel Elliott turned back the clock last Thursday, racking up 140 scrimmage yards against the Steelers. The Chiefs have the off-ball linebackers capable of defending any danger out of the backfield with Nick Bolton back and Drue Tranquill expected to return Sunday. The Patriots are underdogs of more than a touchdown, so don't expect Zeke to run out the clock as he did last week.

Baker Mayfield: Under 31.5 pass attempts

Rachaad White has quietly become a dangerous fantasy football option, putting up 351 yards from scrimmage in his last three games. As a result, the Buccaneers' offense no longer relies on Baker Mayfield throwing the ball with abandon. The Packers' run defense allows the 28th-most yards per carry, so Mayfield should continue his recent trend of attempting 30 or fewer passes in five of his last six games.

George Kittle: Under 46.5 receiving yards

Only two teams have given up fewer yards (36.9) to opposing tight ends than the Cardinals. George Kittle is one of the best at his position in the NFL, but he's occasionally not used in the passing game. Against Arizona in Week 4, he caught his lone target for nine yards.

Terry McLaurin: Over 57.5 receiving yards

The Commanders needed a bye week like we need air to breathe. Getting some time to figure out how to get their best player more than three targets should bode well for Terry McLaurin. His yardage total is more commonly in the 60s, and without Brian Robinson, there's no reason for Washington to even pretend to want to run the football.

Rico Dowdle: Over 16.5 rushing yards

Rico Dowdle has averaged 23.6 rushing yards per game in his 13 contests played. He was also prominent in the Cowboys' biggest game of the season with 12 carries against the Eagles. Only two teams have allowed more yards per rush this year than Buffalo. If the Cowboys take a conservative approach on the road, Dowdle should see more than enough carries to get over a short number.

Isaiah Likely: Over 3.5 receptions (+120) / 33.5 receiving yards

Let's finish up with a two-for-one. Isaiah Likely's snap share went up from the mid-20s to the mid-70s when Mark Andrews went out with a season-ending injury. In his two starts since, he's caught nine passes on 13 targets for 123 yards. This aligns with last campaign when Likely was the No. 1 tight end, catching 14 of 20 targets for 180 yards across two games. There's no reason he can't have another nice night against Jacksonville, which allows the second-most yards per catch to tight ends.

Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.

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