Austin Ekeler Odds and TNF Props: Ekeler Makes Himself Useful Amidst Team's Injury Woes

It’s set to be Austin Ekeler or bust for the banged-up L.A. Chargers in the Week 15 odds opening matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders — and the latest TNF odds suggest points will come at a premium at Allegiant Stadium.

By any measure, it’s been a rough week for the Chargers. Justin Herbert was ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking a finger against the Denver Broncos, and top receiver Keenan Allen will miss this TNF showdown with a heel injury. 

That leaves Easton Stick as the starting quarterback for L.A. and there are plenty of unknowns hovering around the Chargers vs Raiders props. One thing is clear though: the Chargers need production from Ekeler more than ever.

Here, we take a closer look at Austin Ekeler's odds ahead of what should be a busy night for the do-it-all running back. Before making your NFL picks, check out our Chargers vs Raiders picks.

Austin Ekeler TNF prop picks

• Ekeler Over 30.5 rec yds
• Over 30.5 rec yds/Under 36.5 pts/Over 2.5 field goals made

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Austin Ekeler TNF prop pick

Over 30.5 receiving yards (-110)

While the quarterback drop-off from Herbert to Easton Stick is a significant one, Austin Ekeler’s skillset gives the Los Angeles Chargers a comfort blanket to relieve some of the pressure. With Allen sidelined, there’s even more reason for L.A. to tilt its playbook toward Ekeler on TNF.

For me, the Ekeler receiving yards prop is the one that jumps off the screen. With the Chargers likely to keep things simple for Stick, Ekeler’s ability to slip out of the backfield or line up as a receiver positions him for a big workload on short routes.

He had five catches for 49 yards against the Broncos, and all of Allen’s targets are up for grabs here as well.

Stick, who completed 13 of his 24 passes after replacing Herbert on Sunday, is likely to feel the heat from a talented Las Vegas front seven, and that’s a scenario where checkdowns to Ekeler can help keep drives alive.

Even against the Raiders’ top-tier pass defense, I expect the Bolts to take shots through the air. L.A.’s running game has stalled lately — including a miserable 29 yards on 26 carries against the New England Patriots in Week 13 — and a heavy dose of long third downs jives with the Ekeler receiving yards prop given his knack for finding space and picking up key yardage.

Though his numbers have been erratic this season, Ekeler has had 32 or more receiving yards in three of his last five outings. With the benefit of a few more practices with Stick taking first-team reps, they should be even more in sync on Thursday.

This Ekeler prop line has understandably dropped a little since Herbert’s absence was confirmed, but it may now be too low. I’m taking the Over.

Prop: Over 30.5 receiving yards (-110 at bet365)

Austin Ekeler TNF same-game parlay

Austin Ekeler Over 30.5 receiving yards

Under 36.5 points

Over 2.5 field goals

50% boost available

+375 +563 at bet365

If you love touchdowns and explosive plays, this may not be the game for you. I’m building my SGP around the Under on 36.5 total points. The Chargers have scored a combined 23 points across their past three games, and now they’re pivoting without their star QB and top pass-catcher. 

It’s just as bleak for the Raiders’ offense after an instantly forgettable 3-0 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. Las Vegas has struggled to move the ball — and it’s hard to see Aidan O’Connell rebounding in a big way here after throwing for 171 yards and a pick on Sunday. The questionable tag for Josh Jacobs is another reason to like the Under.

The trends support a low-scoring scrap too. The Under is 9-1 in the Chargers’ last 10 games, and it’s 8-2 in the Raiders’ past 10 contests. 

With neither team clicking offensively, I’m counting on the kickers being the best route to putting points on the board — and we’ve got two good ones on TNF in Cameron Dicker and Daniel Carlson.

Carlson has made 15 of his last 17 kicks, while Dicker boasts a 95% mark for the season.

The obvious concern is whether these teams can sustain possessions for long enough to get into field goal range, but I see Stick and O’Connell moving the ball just enough to hit the Over on 2.5 made field goals.

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