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In addition to our coverage of the Commanders vs. Chiefs betting odds and best bets against the spread, we’re also tackling the best Commanders vs. Chiefs player prop bets ahead of tonight’s game. Subscribe to Newsweek Sports Betting 📩 With top pass-catchers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel back in the lineup for Washington, and the Chiefs showing more offensive versatility every week, there are plenty of players with tempting prop bets in tonight’s game. Personally, I like Chiefs rookie RB Brashard Smith to once again get at least a handful of touches. I also expect Marcus Mariota to exploit a KC defense that has been vulnerable to big runs by mobile quarterbacks. Brashard Smith 3+ Receptions (+152 at DraftKings) — 1 unit The rookie RB from SMU is hardly the first player you think of when the Kansas City offense comes to mind, but his role is growing every week. No, he’s not likely to have many more 14-carry games like last week’s unless the Chiefs are up big, but I do expect him to play a role in the Chiefs’ improving passing game every week. Smith finished his career at SMU as a running back, but he was a solid receiver for Miami in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with 69 catches in three years as a receiver for the Hurricanes. Ahead of his senior season last fall, he transferred to SMU, moved to running back and ran for 1,332 yards (while also pulling down a career-high 39 receptions). I’m not the first to compare Smith to the Giants’ Tyrone Tracy, who also came into the league as a wide receiver-turned-running-back, but Tracy’s 38-catch season as a rookie in 2024 is absolutely relevant when projecting where things could be heading for Smith. In his first three NFL games, Smith drew a total of just two targets as he learned the ropes. But he’s had at least four targets in three of his last four games. On the year, he’s averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per target on 18 total targets. With the Chiefs likely down two starting O-linemen tonight — left tackle Josh Simmons is out, and guard Trey Smith is doubtful — expect Mahomes to get rid of the ball quickly. This should mean at least a few opportunities for Smith in the screen game. Again, while a second consecutive 19-touch outing for Smith is (extremely) unlikely, banking on a productive rookie who is coming off of easily his busiest day of the year — he took 28 offensive snaps last week after taking less than 10 in five of the first six weeks of the year — still strikes me as a great option. Marcus Mariota Long. Rush o12.5 yards (+100 at DraftKings) — 1 unit Given the success that several quarterbacks have had on the ground vs. Kansas City, it would be an understatement to say that Mariota should be able to break at least one long run. First of all, Mariota has had at least one run of 22 yards or longer in all three games he’s played in this season. Mariota ripped off 22-yard carries vs. the Raiders and Falcons in Weeks 3 and 4. He also had a 25-yard carry after coming in for Jayden Daniels late in last week’s matchup vs. the Cowboys. This play is even more tempting given how many quarterbacks have had success scrambling against the Chiefs’ defense. Back in Week 1, Chargers QB Justin Herbert had 7 carries for 32 yards, including a 19-yarder that sealed the win for L.A. Since then, the Chiefs gave up an 11-yard run to Jalen Hurts in Week 2, a 14-yard scramble by 36-year-old Russell Wilson in Week 3, a 17-yarder by Lamar Jackson in Week 4 and a 16-yarder by Trevor Lawrence in Week 5. The last two weeks, neither Geno Smith nor Jared Goff had a run of longer than 7 yards vs. the KC defense. That is no reason to shy away from Mariota, though — neither Smith nor Goff have ever been known as runners. The Commanders should give Mariota plenty of work on designed runs. Whether it’s a called QB run or a scramble that ends up doing the trick, I’m not sure, but I would be shocked if Mariota doesn’t get loose at least once or twice tonight. Let’s wrap this up by noting that in two extended apperances a year ago, Mariota had an 11-yard rush vs. Carolina and a 33-yarder vs. Dallas. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through any links in this article. See the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
