Football has a proud tradition in Canada. Some say we even invented the game. While American colleges were playing something closer to rugby and soccer during the 1860s, Canadians were developing a different set of rules, using 11 players per side instead of 15, and a football that was more oblong than round.
We know for sure that the two-game 1874 series between McGill and Harvard – the first game under “Boston” rules, the second under McGill rules – would change the sport forever. The players from Harvard preferred the Canadian game (including downs and forward passes) so much, they brought the McGill rules back to the United States, and the rest is history.
These days, Canadians have plenty of room in their hearts for both the CFL and the NFL. Bodog Sportsbook has become the nation’s No. 1 source for NFL odds, whether it’s betting on who will beat the point spread in any one game, who will win the Super Bowl at the end of the season, or the latest wave of NFL props for each player on the field.
People in Canada betting on sports get even more excited when one of our own is tearing up things south of the border. Which brings us to Chase Claypool. The talented wide receiver from Abbotsford, BC has made a name for himself as one of the star players for the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning All-Rookie honors in 2020 and continuing his stellar performance in 2021.
So now that the 2022 regular season is at our doorstep, here’s a look at Claypool’s NFL player props for the new campaign, including the latest NFL odds at Bodog as we go to press.
Receiving TD Odds
Touchdowns are the most exciting plays in football, and now that Claypool is entering his third year in the NFL, this is his time to shine. Here’s how this bet looks on Bodog’s NFL props market:
Over 4.5 +110
Under 4.5 –145
For those of you who are new to the scene, this betting line asks you to choose whether Claypool will finish the regular season with Over or Under 4.5 touchdowns through the air. The “American” odds format is used here; Under 4.5 is the –145 favourite, meaning you’re betting $145 to win $100 (smaller and larger bets are allowed), while Over 4.5 will pay out $110 for every $100 wagered if Claypool catches at least five TD passes.
To assess Claypool’s chances, we first have to look at his past production. Claypool made six starts as a rookie, although he did get plenty of reps during the other 10 games, and he finished the year with nine TD receptions. But even though Claypool started 13 games in 2021, he only had two TD catches by the end of the regular season.
This had a lot to do with his quarterback. “Big” Ben Roethlisberger was on his last legs in 2021, and retired at the end of the season. His replacement, at least for now, is Mitch Trubisky, who couldn’t keep the starting job with the Chicago Bears despite making the Pro Bowl in 2018, and spent last year as a back-up for the Buffalo Bills.
The Steelers have a competent back-up of their own in Mason Rudolph, and a promising third-string rookie in local hero Kenny Pickett, who might end up claiming the starting gig before too long. Chances are Pittsburgh will get better production from at least one of these quarterbacks than they got from Roethlisberger last year, which makes Over 4.5 a tempting proposition.
Receiving Yards
While Claypool didn’t see much of the end zone last year, he was still an important part of Pittsburgh’s offense. Listed as the No. 2 receiver on the Steelers’ depth chart, Claypool amassed 860 receiving yards last year, almost equaling his 2020 total of 873.
Here are the odds for Claypool this year:
Over 750.5 –115
Under 750.5 –115
If this total seems low, it’s probably a reflection of how little the betting market thinks of Trubisky. He’s been something of a pariah ever since the Bears selected him No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, ahead of Patrick Mahomes (No. 10 to Kansas City) and Deshaun Watson (No. 12 to Houston).
The thing is, although Roethlisberger is a future Hall of Famer – off-field behavior notwithstanding – he set the bar pretty low for Trubisky last year. And Claypool might see some extra touches early in the 2022 campaign while No. 1 wideout Diontae Johnson recovers from the shoulder injury he suffered during the preseason finale.
Receptions
Again, Claypool’s receptions were consistent between his rookie and sophomore seasons. He caught 62 passes on 109 targets in 2021, then followed up with 59 catches on 105 targets – all while Roethlisberger was crumbling before our eyes.
That consistency has carried over to Claypool’s odds for 2022:
Over 59.5 –115
Under 59.5 –115
This might be the toughest of the three Claypool props to pin down, but in theory, the betting value is once again with the Over, for the same reasons listed above: The market under-appreciates Trubisky (and Rudolph, for that matter), and Johnson might see fewer targets in the early games – he’s officially listed as questionable for Week 1, when the Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, September 11 (1 PM ET, CBS).
Johnson isn’t the only Steelers wideout in sick bay. Rookie Calvin Austin III is also questionable for Week 1 after injuring his foot during training camp, and Anthony Miller (shoulder) went directly from the practice squad to injured reserve. This should open up even more touches for Claypool, giving him a better chance to cash in the Over for all three of these NFL player props.
Whichever side you choose, it’s going to be a great year for NFL betting here at Bodog Sportsbook – and hopefully a great season for Claypool as well. Enjoy the games, and we look forward to seeing you at the pay window, hopefully off the back of our Chase Claypool odds preview.
*Odds subject to change
NFL fans, we hope you’re ready for another scintillating season of football action. If you’re a general sports fan, then you’re going to love some of the sports betting available at Bodog Sportsbook.