Bears vs. Rams: The best player prop bets for SNF

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)

Robert Criscola

September 11th, 2021

The first Sunday Night Football game of 2021 is nearly here! The Chicago Bears will visit the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, with both teams breaking in new quarterbacks in Andy Dalton (at least for now) and Matt Stafford, respectively.

Let’s discuss our three favorite player prop wagers for this contest.

Chicago Bears (0-0) at Los Angeles Rams (0-0), 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

David Montgomery Over/Under 77.5 Total Rushing & Receiving Yards

David Montgomery played no small part in advancing the Bears to the playoffs last year with a stellar last six weeks. He rushed for 598 yards in that span, and added another 226 receiving yards, for an average of 137.3 all-purpose yards per game in that stretch.

Montgomery will need to have a big game against a Rams defense that was No. 1 by yards allowed in 2020 if the Bears want to have any shot at victory. Even if Chicago falls behind and has to abandon the run, expect Dalton to lean heavily on Montgomery’s playmaking ability throughout Sunday night’s tilt.

NFL pick: Over (-117)

Andy Dalton Over/Under 1.5 Total Touchdown Passes Thrown

Perhaps the most unpopular starter in the league, Dalton might be thankful his Bears debut occurs on the road. However, he probably would have preferred not facing Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and the rest of the Rams’ intimidating stoppers.

Dalton mustered just 14 total touchdown passes in nine starts for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, for an average of only 1.56 per contest. It’s difficult to envision the L.A. defense – which surrendered just 17 touchdown passes all of last season, or barely over one per game – coughing up two through the air to “The Red Rifle” on Sunday night.

NFL pick: Under (-245)

Cooper Kupp to score a touchdown

We don’t like to proclaim that players are “due," but after finding the end zone just three times in 2020, it's only logical to think that Cooper Kupp will score more this season with Stafford at the helm. That could begin in Week 1 against the Bears.

Kupp led all Rams receivers in yardage (974) and receptions (92) last season despite missing one game. Chicago was a mediocre unit in terms of preventing pass touchdowns last year, allowing opponents to score on 5.1% of their throws, tied for 20th in the NFL.

NFL pick: Kupp anytime TD (+135)