The Carolina Panthers will visit the Detroit Lions on Sunday. They have the unenviable task of containing one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses while lining up against an aggressive rush. Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young hasn’t looked all that great to start the season, but I still have faith in him. Let’s dive into the Panthers-Lions player prop markets to pick the best bet for Week 5, which is a bet on Hayden Hurst.
Panthers-Lions Player Prop Bet for Week 5
Panthers-Lions Information
Expert: Isaiah Sirois
Watch: FOX
When: Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
Who: Hayden Hurst at BetMGM
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Panthers-Lions Player Prop Pick for Hayden Hurst
The Carolina Panthers haven’t seen much production out of tight end Hayden Hurst since Week 1, but it’s not for a lack of targets. Hurst is averaging four targets but only 2.5 receptions per game this year. However, he has recorded at least three targets in every game this season, and he owns a route participation rate of 60%-plus in all of Carolina’s games. He now draws a matchup with a Detroit Lions defense that has struggled to defend tight ends all season, a trend that shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
But before we dive into Detroit’s struggles, let’s talk about Hurst’s production — or lack thereof. Hurst was rookie quarterback Bryce Young’s go-to target in Week 1 against the Falcons, and he caught five of seven targets for 41 yards. Atlanta pressured Young on 33.3% of his dropbacks. In Week 3, Young returned from a one-game absence to face the Saints. Hurst caught all three of his targets for 20 yards and Young was pressured 28.2% of the time. In Week 4, Young was pressured only 15.4% of the time, and Hurst caught only one of his three targets for seven yards.
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Hurst works as a safety valve in this offense, so Week 5’s matchup with a Detroit defense that ranks seventh in pressure percentage (27.7%) and last in receiving yards allowed to tight ends per game (75.8) bodes well for Hurst. It’s not like the Lions have faced elite tight ends, either — in Week 1, they coughed up 43 yards to Noah Gray and Blake Bell. Last week, Luke Musgrave, Josiah Deguara and Tucker Kraft combined for 40 yards. Their season-worst showing came in Week 3. Gray, Deguara, Noah Fant, Colby Parkinson, Will Dissly, Jonnu Smith and Kyle Pitts have all gone for 22-plus yards against Detroit. Hurst should add his name to that list come Sunday.
Best Panthers-Lions Player Prop: Hayden Hurst Over 21.5 Receiving Yards -115 at BetMGM
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