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5 best prop bets for Saturday's NFL wild-card games

Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The NFL postseason starts Saturday with a two-game slate: the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Houston Texans, and the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Considering we don't have edges on the spreads or totals, here are our five best player prop bets.

Deshaun Watson over 41.5 rushing yards (-120)

Don't be surprised if quarterback Deshaun Watson is the focal point of Houston's rushing attack Saturday afternoon. The Colts' defense didn't allow a single 100-yard rusher during the entire regular season and limited running back Lamar Miller to 49 yards in the teams' Week 4 matchup. Although Watson only registered a team-high 35 rushing yards mere weeks ago, expect him to create plays with his legs at NRG Stadium behind a spotty offensive line against a defense that can dial up pressure, getting this one past the number.

Blake Jarwin under 31.5 receiving yards (-115)

Blake Jarwin has been an odd commodity in the Cowboys' offense. The second-year tight end was seldom used early in the year before seeing a significant spike in usage, receiving 25 targets over his previous four games. Now he matches up with a Seahawks defense that's allowed 30 yards or fewer to opposing tight ends six times this season.

Ezekiel Elliott over 37.5 receiving yards (-115)

Unlike Jarwin, Ezekiel Elliott has been consistently involved in Dallas' offense, whether it's carrying the ball 20-plus times per contest or serving as one of quarterback Dak Prescott's go-to passing targets. It's the latter where we like Elliott to thrive Saturday, as he gets a Seahawks defense that's allowed running backs to top 37 receiving yards in 11 games this season.

Eric Ebron over 4.5 receptions (+120)

Expect a suspect Texans secondary to focus on stopping Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who notched 13 catches for 314 yards across the teams' two regular-season meetings. That'll likely open up some windows for tight end Eric Ebron, who gets a Texans defense that ranks No. 31 in the NFL in yards allowed to tight ends. Ebron has an enticing receiving yards prop set at 50.5, but we'll take the price on his receptions as Houston allowed opposing tight ends to catch at least five passes in half of its games this year.

DeAndre Hopkins over 95.5 receiving yards (-130)

Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins suffered his worst performance in Week 14 against the Colts, bringing down just four passes for a season-low 36 yards in the 24-21 loss. However, the No. 1 receiver has been targeted 10 or more times in 11 games this year, and you can assume Watson's favorite pass-catcher is due for a rebound against Indianapolis' secondary.

(All prop bets were taken from Bet365 and Bovada. Always shop around for the best numbers available.)

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.

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