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Best Running Back Prop Picks for NFL Week 1: Jonathon Taylor Continues Tormenting Texans

Jordan Anderson

Last Updated: September 13, 2022 3:38 PM EDT • 1 min 57 sec read.

Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on Jan. 3, 2021. Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images via AFP.

The NFL season has finally arrived. After over six months of waiting, toughing out the summer heat, pretending I like betting baseball, and the existential dread that comes with losing golf outrights on Sunday, we can now turn to betting NFL player props. 

Though heartbreak will ensue, it's basically one full day a week to love and hate everything, and I cannot wait. 

Here are our top picks for Week 1 running back props (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and DraftKings Sportsbook).

Best Running Back Prop Picks For Week 1

R Bprops W1

Running Back Prop Predictions

Kamara to score (-125)

The New Orleans Saints open the season on the road against an Atlanta Falcons team expected to be putrid in 2022. The "Dirty Birds" moniker is fitting, as you'll feel dirty watching this team on the field this season. 

The Falcons' run defense ranked 29th in DVOA and in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed per carry last season. Though quarterback Jameis Winston played well last season before succumbing to injury, the Saints will want the offense to filter through Kamara as Winston is prone to mistakes. 

Kamara gets one of the heaviest workloads in the league, and we will surely see him get in the endzone on Sunday.

  Check out the latest comprehensive and most trusted Sportsbook Reviews by SBR.  

Taylor Over 94.5 rushing yards (-115)

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor tormented the Houston Texans last season, rushing for 288 yards and four touchdowns in two games against the AFC South rival. 

With Matt Ryan now at quarterback for the Colts, the team will be able to get more creative, play with a quicker pace, and keep the Texans off balance. This should create more space for Taylor against a team that ranked 26th in yards allowed per carry last season. 

All Taylor needs is to break a big run or two to be on his way to exceeding this total, and without Carson Wentz under center for the Colts, he should have more opportunities to do so. 

Cook Over 71.5 rushing yards (-114)

The oft-injured Dalvin Cook is fully healthy and will be fresh after not playing in the preseason. With new Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at the helm, we can expect a much more creative offense that plays with exceptional pace relative to the leatherhead style of Mike Zimmer last season. 

The Green Bay Packers' defense is much improved, but they ranked 28th in rush defense DVOA last season, and O'Connell is a Los Angeles Rams disciple, meaning he likes to rely on his star running backs. 

Though they'll be more creative, look for O'Connell and the Vikings to get Cook the ball early to establish the run and gain a feel for a hotly contested divisional battle. Look for Cook to exceed this number with relative ease.

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Running back prop picks made 9/7/2022 at 9:04 a.m. ET

Written By:
Jordan Anderson
Jordan Anderson is a Content Editor and Sports Betting Analyst at SportsbookReview.com. He's previously written at BettingPros and has spent most of his career in content marketing. Jordan's first love is hockey, and he covers the NHL, the NFL, and PGA. A long-time suffering Buffalo Bills fan, he is thoroughly enjoying the Bills' current wave of success before they ultimately break his heart again. Jordan holds a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from SUNY Cortland and a Master's in Integrated Marketing Communication from Marist College. You can find him watching sports and playing hockey and golf in his free time.