NFL Week 2 Player Props and Predictions: Jalen Hurts is a threat in the air and on the ground

Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season is here and we’re covering key player props from the prime time games.

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Week 2 Super Bowl Odds

Jalen Hurts is a Natural Dual Threat

The Eagles are 1-0 after a close call in New England to start the season. Jalen Hurts finished with 170 passing yards and one touchdown in the air while adding another 37 yards on the ground. Now Philly returns home as they prepare to take on a Minnesota Vikings team fresh off a loss against Tampa Bay.

Hurts is arguably the best rushing quarterback in the NFL, but he’s not a one-trick pony. He’s a pure dual threat who can beat you on the ground or in the air. Hurts was solid and safe in Week 1. He completed 22 of 33 pass attempts without taking many deep shots. Roughly 45 per cent of his attempts were passes of less than 10 yards.

Expect a bigger passing game from Hurts against Minnesota. He has elite weapons to target in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and he’ll be facing a weaker secondary against the Vikings.

NFL Week 2 Prediction: Jalen Hurts Over 1.5 touchdown passes (-140)

Don’t Overlook Jaylen Waddle

Jaylen Waddle was largely overshadowed by Tyreek Hill last week, but Miami’s No. 2 receiving option still had a solid performance. Waddle finished with 78 yards on four catches, averaging 19.5 yards per catch. That tops the 18.1 yards per catch Waddle averaged last season when he led the NFL in the statistic.

Like every team the Dolphins play this season, New England will focus on neutralizing Hill. Bill Belichick and the Pats will likely be more successful at shutting down Hill than the Chargers were, which leaves the door open for Waddle. Combine that with New England cornerback Jack Jones landing on the IR with a hamstring injury and the Over on Waddle’s receiving yards is attractive this week.

NFL Week 2 Prediction: Jaylen Waddle Over 73.5 receiving yards

Nick Chubb is Trucking Down the Field

Nick Chubb was the most effective offensive player in Cleveland’s surprise win over the Bengals last week. The sixth-year rusher put up 106 yards on 18 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per run. The Browns’ strong offensive line contributes a lot to Chubb’s success by consistently clearing lanes. Chubb gained three or more yards before contact on 26 per cent of his carries last season and 28 per cent of his carries last week.

Chubb’s rushing yards is set at 76.5 this week against Pittsburgh, a number he surpassed in 13 of 17 (76.5 per cent) games last season. He also hit the Over on his rushing yards in 11 of 17 (64.7 per cent) games last season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson barely reached 154 passing yards last week and with that trend likely to continue, bank on Cleveland running the ball a lot in Pittsburgh.

NFL Week 2 Prediction: Nick Chubb Over 76.5 rushing yards