NFL Underdog Fantasy Picks for Panthers vs Giants, Bengals vs Falcons

NFL Underdog Fantasy Picks for Panthers vs Giants, Bengals vs Falcons article feature image
Credit:

Megan Briggs/Getty Images. Pictured: Taylor Heinicke.

For all of Sean Koerner's picks, follow him in the award-winning Action App.


The number in parenthesis after each pick is my confidence rating out of 10. I feel much better about the Underdog plays tonight than what PrizePicks is offering.

Between Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks, my plays at 31-8 this preseason.


NFL Underdog Fantasy Plays

In the table below, you'll find each of our NFL staff's top player prop picks from today's slate of games. Click on any pick or team logo to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.

Time (ET)Player Prop
7 p.m. ET
7 p.m. ET
7 p.m. ET
7:30 p.m. ET
7:30 p.m. ET
7:30 p.m. ET
7:30 p.m. ET
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NFL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

Panthers vs. Giants

Carolina Panthers Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7 p.m. ET ET
NFL Network
New York Giants Logo
Header First Logo

Raheem Blackshear

More Than 26.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (9/10)

Header Trailing Logo

The Panthers’ RB depth chart is pretty thin right now. There’s a chance we see Blackshear operate as Carolina’s lead back for the entire second half of this game.

Blackshear only had four receiving yards last week, but he ran a route on 15 of the team’s 34 drop backs. That gives him upside with receiving yards, which is huge for this market.

I’m projecting Blackshear closer to 40.5 in this market.

Pick: Raheem Blackshear More Than 26.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (9/10)


Panthers vs. Giants

Carolina Panthers Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7 p.m. ET ET
NFL Network
New York Giants Logo
Header First Logo

Tommy DeVito

Less Than 126.5 Passing Yards (7)

Header Trailing Logo

DeVito only threw for 155 yards last week against the Lions, despite playing nearly the entire game. We could see Daniel Jones and the starters play most of the first quarter (still a ton of uncertainty, though), and we may also see Tyrod Taylor get more run here.

I wouldn’t be shocked if DeVito plays the entire second half, and this would still be too high. I’m projecting him closer to 91.5 passing yards under the assumption that Jones starts. If that’s the case, this line will plummet, so we’re trying to get ahead of it.

Pick: Tommy DeVito Less Than 126.5 Passing Yards (7)


Panthers vs. Giants

Carolina Panthers Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7 p.m. ET ET
NFL Network
New York Giants Logo
Header First Logo

David Sills

Less Than 4.35 Fantasy Points (8)

Header Trailing Logo

Sills posted a receiving line of 2/36/0, which would have barely cleared this number. He only ran 11 routes out of 37 team dropbacks, but it might be tougher for him to see that many snaps if the starters play tonight, since that’d lead to a more crowded WR room.

I’m projecting Sills for closer to 3.1 fantasy points tonight.

Pick: David Sills Less Than 4.35 Fantasy Points (8)


Bengals vs. Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7:30 p.m. ET ET
CBS Local 12 (CIN) | FOX 5 (ATL)
Atlanta Falcons Logo
Header First Logo

Charlie Jones

More Than 1.5 Receptions (9)

Header Trailing Logo

Jones led the team with 31 routes run last week, and I’m expecting similar usage here. He only caught two of his six targets, but the QB play should get better this week. Both Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning were as bad as they possibly could have been last week against the Packers.

Jones’ Average Depth of Target was only nine yards, which means he should see a higher receptions percentage moving forward, as well.

I’m projecting Jones for closer to 2.5 receptions.

Pick: Charlie Jones More Than 1.5 Receptions (9)


Bengals vs. Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7:30 p.m. ET ET
CBS Local 12 (CIN) | FOX 5 (ATL)
Atlanta Falcons Logo
Header First Logo

Taylor Heinicke

Less Than 89.5 Passing Yards (7)

Header Trailing Logo

Desmond Ridder could start and play most of the first quarter, while Logan Woodside is expected to play most of the second half. That makes it seem likely that Heinicke will one see 1-1 1/2 quarters tonight.

Also, the Falcons stayed true to their in-season identity of being a run-heavy offense last week. That’s another factor that will make it tough for Heinicke to clear this number.

I’m projecting Heinicke for closer to 72 passing yards, but there is a wide range of outcomes.

Pick: Taylor Heinicke Less Than 89.5 Passing Yards (7)


Bengals vs. Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7:30 p.m. ET ET
CBS Local 12 (CIN) | FOX 5 (ATL)
Atlanta Falcons Logo
Header First Logo

Godwin Igwebuike

More Than 4.45 Fantasy Points (6)

Header Trailing Logo

Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier will get some work today, but we’ll only have Igwebuike and Carlos Washington handling the RB work from there with Cordarrelle Patterson out.

Godwin didn’t see a target last week, but I think that changes here, which will help him a ton in this market.

I’m projecting him for closer to 6.5. Even if he doesn’t score a touchdown, I’m projecting him for closer to 4.8, which is key for these markets. You don’t want to be depending on a touchdown.

Pick: Godwin Igwebuike More Than 4.45 Fantasy Points (6)


Bengals vs. Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals Logo
Friday, Aug. 18
7:30 p.m. ET ET
CBS Local 12 (CIN) | FOX 5 (ATL)
Atlanta Falcons Logo
Header First Logo

Xavier Malone

Less Than 1.5 Receptions (7)

Header Trailing Logo

Malone managed to be super efficient last week with two receptions on two targets for 50 yards. The Falcons’ WR room should be more crowded tonight, and he was lucky to come down with two catches last week with an Average Depth of Target of 22.

I’m projecting Malone for closer to one reception.

Pick: Xavier Malone Less Than 1.5 Receptions (7)

About the Author
Sean is The Action Network's Director of Predictive Analytics. He was named the No. 1 fantasy football draft ranker of 2019 by FantasyPros, where he's also finished as the top in-season ranker in three of the past five seasons

Follow Sean Koerner @The_Oddsmaker on Twitter/X.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.