It’s going to be a long Sunday with three NFL playoff games on tap. The good news is we’re battle-tested. We’ve been in the trenches, handling this type of workload all season long. Simply put, we’re going to be fine. Our best friend in a situation like this is the sportsbooks and that hasn’t changed. Now that we’re in the playoffs, we’re analyzing even more lines. So when the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally kick off at 8 pm ET, we should be flushed with action. Here are two of my favorite Commanders vs Buccaneers player prop bets. It’s time to lock in.
Commanders vs Buccaneers Player Props and Odds
Austin Ekeler (Commanders) | 2.5 (Ov +130 / Un -165) | 20.5 (Ov -105 / Un -125) | 3+ Receptions (+130) |
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) | 21.5 (Ov -125 / Un -105) | 235.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) | 250+ Passing Yards (+120) |
Both of today’s Commanders vs Buccaneers player prop picks are overs at plus-money, starting with Washington RB Austin Ekeler and finishing with Bucs pivot Baker Mayfield.

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Austin Ekeler Gets Loose On Sunday
The NFL Playoffs are an absolute war. There is no saving anything. These teams can’t just come back next week in practice and get everything worked out. If they lose, there is no practice next week. It’s all or nothing.
Lucky for the Washington Commanders, they’re going to have Austin Ekeler back at full strength for these playoffs.
The Washington Commanders have designated RB Austin Ekeler to return from IR. pic.twitter.com/6TPtQqNwiD
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 1, 2025
Everyone knows about Austin Ekeler. The man has been an absolute beast in the NFL ever since he came out of Western Colorado. He’s a 5’9″, 200-pound dawg made of 100% pure, pharmaceutical-grade testosterone. On top of that, he’s got charmin-soft hands that make a great landing spot for any football.
For today’s bet, we’re going to lean on Ekeler’s hands. He’s been using them for years and they’ve never let him down. Not even once. In fact, just two short years ago, the guy caught 107 passes. That’s crazy. He’s a part-time guy this season but in a game like today, the Commanders would be crazy not to use him in the receiving game.
We have the perfect opponent here, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They could easily score points and force the Commanders to play from behind which would make them throw more. Only four teams in the entire NFL allowed more receptions to the running back position than Tampa Bay. When push comes to shove today, Washington will look to Ekeler. He’s catching at least three passes tonight.
The Pick: Austin Ekeler 3+ Receptions (+130) – FanaticsBaker Mayfield Is a Lock
In a loser-go-home game, you’re going to want a quarterback. I know that sounds like I’m stating the obvious and I am but whatever. Sometimes things need to be said so I’m saying it. I don’t think we can say it enough.
Lucky for Tampa Bay, they’ve got a guy in Baker Mayfield who has been through a lot in the NFL and nothing has stopped him.
Baker Mayfield’s journey to Tampa Bay. #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/h8kbcWEWmG
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 8, 2025
If we’re keeping score, Baker’s coming out party was last season but if we’re being honest, it’s still going. The man threw for 4100 yards and 41 touchdowns this season. His receivers kept getting hurt, and it didn’t matter. He just threw bombs to the new guys too. It was an incredible season.
Today, the Buccaneers should need all the Baker Mayfield they can get. The Washington Commanders should hang points on the Tampa defense which will in turn create an environment where Baker has to go all Baker. We’ve seen it 1000 times this season.
The haters are going to say that the Commanders allowed the third-fewest passing yards to quarterbacks this season and they’re right. The thing is, they saw guys like Cooper Rush, Will Levis and Spencer Rattler. No offense to those guys, but they aren’t Baker. Simply put, Baker Mayfield is throwing for 250+ yards tonight and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Feels good.
The Pick: Baker Mayfield 250+ Passing Yards (+120) – FanaticsCheck out SBD’s other Commanders vs Buccaneers coverage:
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