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Emmanuel Sanders Props for 49ers Debut in Week 8: Over/Under on Receiving Yards Set at 55.5

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in NFL Football

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 3:44 PM PDT

Emmanuel Sanders
After getting traded to the San Francisco 49ers, Emmanuel Sanders is set to make his debut in Week 8. Photo by Jeffrey Beall (Flickr) [CC License]
  • The San Francisco 49ers bulked up their receiver depth by acquiring Emmanuel Sanders
  • A 10 year pro, Sanders has 30 catches for 367 yards in seven games
  • Let’s examine some props surrounding his Week 8 debut

Looking for receiving help, the San Francisco 49ers went out and acquired Emmanuel Sanders from the Denver Broncos.

Sitting at 6-0 atop the NFC, the 49ers receiving group was getting thin with rookie Deebo Samuel battling a groin injury. The two-time Pro Bowler Sanders immediately jumps to the top of the depth chart, supplanting Marquise Goodwin.

With his San Fran debut set for this Sunday, what can we expect out of Sanders?

Emmanuel Sanders Week 8 Props

Prop Total Over Odds Under Odds
Total Receiving Yards 55.5 -120 -120
Total TDs 0.5 +150 -200

Odds taken Oct. 23, 2019.

So far, Sanders’ season has been a bit hit and miss. But that’s mostly because of play calling and quarterback play.

Sanders is leaving a team hit the 20-point plateau just twice in seven games, and joining a team that’s done it in five of six.

Emmanuel Sanders Game Logs 2019

Week Opponent Targets Receptions Yards TD
Week 1 @ Oak 7 5 86 1
Week 2 vs CHI 13 11 98 1
Week 3 @ GB 5 2 10 0
Week 4 vs JAX 9 5 104 0
Week 5 @ LAC 1 1 9 0
Week 6 vs TEN 3 1 0 0
Week 7 vs KC 6 5 60 0

Sanders was battling a balky knee over his last two games, which accounts for his Week 6 stat line.

Removing that game, Sanders has caught 29 of 41 targets this year for 367 yards. If we adjust his catch percentage (70.7%) accordingly, it slots in as the third-best of his career.

But we can’t just look at Sanders’ numbers in all of this. What about the offense he’s headed to?

Jimmy Garoppolo Passing Yards & 49ers Top Receiver

Garoppolo Passing Yards
VS
Top Receiving Yards
166 Week 1 54
296 Week 2 86
277 Week 3 57
181 Week 5 70
243 Week 6 103
151 Week 7 69

It’s important to note that in four of those instances (Weeks 1, 3, 5 and 6), the 49ers’ top receiver was TE George Kittle. Sanders is not supplanting the tight end, who will remain Jimmy G’s security blanket.

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Taking all of that into consideration, 56 yards is achievable but tough. Carolina has allowed multiple 60-yard receivers in the same game three times. But two of those times belonged to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and Sanders doesn’t have a wideout opposite him that requires that kind of attention.

With a short week to learn the offense and an established target ahead of him, Sanders is a good bet to finish short of the mark.

The Pick: Under 55.5 yards (-120)

Will Sanders Score a TD in Week 8?

Emmanuel Sanders’ two best seasons for touchdowns, understandably, came with Peyton Manning under center in Denver. In 2014 and 2015, he combined to haul 15 of his 39 career TDs.

A four-year stretch from 2013-16 actually accounts for 66% of Sanders’ receiving touchdowns.

In the last three years, the 32-year-old has just eight TD receptions.

Coming in at 5’11”, you may think that taking the under on yardage but yes on touchdowns is counter productive; Garoppolo likely won’t be tossing many jump balls Manny’s way.

But the yardage on his last eight touchdown receptions shows that, despite his stature, Sanders can be deadly in the red zone. Five of those TDs have come from 10 yards or shorter, while one is just barely outside of scoring range at 22 yards.

While we don’t anticipate a big day yardage-wise from Sanders, we’ll take the TD prop at plus money.

If Jimmy G can drive them down inside Carolina’s 20, why not cap things with a TD to your newest weapon?

The Pick: Sanders scores a TD (+150)

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