2023 NFL Betting: Christian McCaffrey Receiving Yards and Two Other Prop Bets for Eagles-49ers

The NFC Championship Game pits the two best teams in the conference against each other, as the San Francisco 49ers travel to visit the Philadelphia Eagles.

The spread is not too big and I believe an upset could be on tap.

A Bengals-49ers Super Bowl. Let's get it.https://t.co/G68THjEFp7

— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) January 26, 2023

Here are three prop bets I like for the contest after a 6-1 start to the postseason: 

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey Over 33.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

The Eagles are dominant against outside receivers, as Darius Slay and James Bradberry have been shutdown cornerbacks all year long. Philly has also been good against tight ends this season, but are ranked only No. 24 in the NFL by Football Outsiders in stopping opposing running backs.

Now, there might be greater emphasis placed on slowing down McCaffrey because he’s arguably the best pass-catching running back in the NFL, but I still think the 49ers star has a big game through the air.

McCaffrey has seen major passing game volume since coming over from the Panthers via trade, including six catches on eight targets against the Cowboys last week. It didn’t translate to a big yardage total against Dallas, but there is nothing to suggest McCaffrey can’t turn volume into production against the Eagles.

Philly won’t want to give up the big play down the field to guys like Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, which should open up lanes for McCaffrey to shine.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts under 251.5 passing yards (-115)

The Philadelphia rushing attack dominated last week against the Giants, and Hurts was only needed for 24 pass attempts as he finished with 154 pass yards. 

The San Francisco defense is No. 2 in the NFL against the run so the holes are not going to be nearly as large, which is why this passing yardage total is quite high.

However, the 49ers are also top-5 in defending the pass, which means it could be tough sledding no matter how the Eagles try to attack. I think the chunk plays will be few and far between on both sides in this matchup, which is why I like the under.

With each side willing to run, the clock will continue to move, which could limit possessions. Furthermore, the Eagles are a small favorite, which means they aren’t super likely to be trailing big in the fourth quarter, which would make them go pass-heavy.

Hurts has only reach 252 passing yards in five of 16 games this season and I don’t see it happening here.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel under 28.5 rush yards (-115)

Coach Kyle Shanahan loves to put his dynamic pass-catcher in the backfield on occasion, often to impressive results. Samuel had a big run in the wild card round against the Seahawks, which is a reminder that he can reach this yardage total in only a couple of carries because he’s so talented.

However, if the Eagles can limit him to 5.0 yards per carry, I’m not sure if the volume will be there for Samuel to hit the over. Christian McCaffrey is going to see a solid amount of rushing attempts in this game, and even though Elijah Mitchell won’t play, I don’t foresee Samuel being deployed this much as a running back.

Samuel has not gotten more than four rushing attempts in a game since Week 3, and he’s had several where it was only one or two carries per contest.

This is the NFC Championship Game and the 49ers will be willing to pull out all the stops, but the offense has been rolling with Samuel at wideout, and I don’t think there will be a need to put him at running back too often in this matchup.

Last Week’s Prop Bets Record: 3-1
Overall: 89-81