Former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa will return to action for the Miami Dolphins in NFL Week 8. He suffered another concussion in Week 2 and will finally take the field again on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Other Crimson Tide alumni in the AFC are pushing towards the top of the conference and possibly to an eventual postseason meeting.
Derrick Henry is showing no signs of easing up on defenses in his first season for the Ravens. Amari Cooper was traded to the Bills last week and caught a TD pass in his first game with Buffalo.
All three former Alabama stars draw good matchups for offensive production, yet the Dolphins passer is the one player in the mix that might cause bettors to consider both sides of the Over/Under.
Let’s get into my best prop bets for Tagovailoa, Henry and Cooper for this week.
Our expert prop bets for Tua Tagovailoa, Derrick Henry and Amari Cooper
- Tua Tagovailoa 2+ TD passes: +110 at DraftKings
- Derrick Henry 2+ TDs: +225 at BetMGM
- Amari Cooper Over 75 receiving yards: +215 odds at bet365
Best Tua Tagovailoa prop bet: 2+ TD passes
Odds: +110 at DraftKings
Miami desperately needs their starting QB back, as the Dolphins lost three of four games played without him. He suffered a third concussion in two years against Buffalo on September 12.
Some bettors may be slightly hesitant to wager on Tagovailoa with the thought that he might not be able to finish a game in any given week. But wagering carries obvious other risks, and any player can go down at any time in the NFL. You might fade Tagovailoa as a fantasy football starter, yet this is a solid prop to play.
The fifth-year man was cleared on Friday, strongly suggesting he can operate without limitations. Arizona’s 26th ranked pass defense will face a major challenge from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle with their starting QB back behind center. De’Von Achane is also a significant receiving threat out of the backfield.
Even if the Dolphins lean some on the running game to ease a bit of pressure on Tagovailoa, the offense should reawaken with him guiding it. Arizona allows 25.4 points per game, which ranks 25th in the NFL.
Best Derrick Henry prop bet: 2+ TDs
Odds: +225 odds at BetMGM
Henry is at -250 as an anytime TD scorer, so it’s more fun and a shot on a legitimate better payout to add the second TD on a wager. Regardless of the game script, the ex-Titans superstar will have a good chance of finding the end zone more than once.
If the Ravens blow the Browns out, Henry will likely be a centerpiece of building a big lead. If Jameis Winston can elevate the Cleveland offense to compete with the Baltimore offense in a high-scoring game, then the NFL rushing leader will naturally see enough scoring opportunities to keep the Ravens ahead.
Henry is the only player in the league who has registered a TD in every one of seven games played. He is tied for the NFL lead in rushing TDs (eight) and total TDs from scrimmage (10). Cleveland’s defense has not performed as well as hoped, ranking 18th in points per game allowed (23.1). The Browns have allowed eight rushing TDs, which is tied for 25th.
Those who have been following the pro career of the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner are witnessing the exploits of one of the greatest RBs in the modern era. Henry’s outstanding and unique combination of power and speed continues to punish defenders, and an inferior Browns squad won’t be able to contain him.
Best Amari Cooper prop bet: Over 75 receiving yards
Odds: +215 odds at bet365
Cooper finished with 66 receiving yards in his Bills debut and should be able to clear this number for a healthy payout. The Seattle defense was able to limit the Falcons’ passing game last week but won’t be able to hold Josh Allen and his new top pass-catcher down.
The Seahawks rank 24th in receiving yards allowed to WRs over the past four weeks and are dealing with multiple injuries in their secondary. Top corners Riq Woolen and Tre Brown are listed as questionable with ankle injuries and Seattle also is dealing with a thinned safety corps.
Allen and Cooper can make the Seahawks pay for their personnel concerns on the back end better than Atlanta did.
The Buffalo passer is the first elite QB that the Seahawks have faced this season, and Cooper should be in even better and more dangerous form with a full week of practice with his new team behind him.
