Marquez Valdes-Scantling Player Props
Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling had the best game of his career in the AFC Championship Game.
Kansas City had the majority of its receiver room sidelined against the Bengals, and Valdes-Scantling responded by making big play after big play. He is clearly playing with a level of confidence previously unforeseen in the regular season or in his time with the Green Bay Packers.
More importantly, the more plays Valdes-Scantling made, the more trust he earned from Patrick Mahomes. Can we expect the same in Chiefs vs. Eagles in Super 57?
Betting Picks
Valdes-Scantling has a very secure role in the current version of the Chiefs offense — something we can't say about any other K.C. receiver, due to injury or otherwise.
Valdes-Scantling has played 35 or more snaps in 17-of-19 games this season, and he has gradually seen an increase in targets. He tallied four or fewer targets in six of his first 10 games with the Chiefs, but since then, he has seen five or more targets in 6-of-9 games.
Schematically, Valdes-Scantling is the only player on the roster who can consistently threaten the opposing secondary down the seam. He’s also proven he can make difficult catches in the second and third level of the defense, oftentimes in between defenders.
Another reason to be optimistic about his outlook in the Super Bowl is attention that will be paid to Travis Kelce.
The Eagles defense ranks sixth in defensive DVOA versus tight end. They've held the likes of George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Dalton Schultz and Zach Ertz under 50 yards receiving. Philadelphia will use linebacker T.J. Edwards — a top-10 coverage grade LB according to Pro Football Focus — in addition to another defender in an attempt to limit Kelce.
Philly has the personnel to force the Chiefs to use other pass-catchers to beat them. Valdes-Scantling has the ability to separate at the top of his route against single coverage, and he is fully healthy heading into Sunday.
Even if JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kadarius Toney and Justin Watson regain their normal roles, I expect Valdes-Scantling to be a major part of the game plan. Out of all the skill players on the Chiefs, I am the most confident in Valdes-Scantling clearing his receiving yards prop number — yes that includes Kelce.
Pick: Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 35.5 Rec Yards |
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Pick: Valdes-Scantling 50+ Rec Yards (+188) |
