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Bank on DeVonta Smith to thrive in NFC title game vs. 49ers

By Reed Wallach

Jan 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs with the ball after a catch in front of New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs with the ball after a catch in front of New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game on Sunday afternoon in a battle of two of the past four NFC champions.

A spot in the Super Bowl is on the line and the Eagles are going to bank on their two-headed monster at wide receiver in A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts’ former Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith. You can check out our game preview for the title game with a bet on the side of the game here, but this is going to look at Smith’s potential role in this game.

DeVonta Smith prop bets

As I mentioned in my prop bet guide for this game, Smith is set for an explosive outing against the 49ers secondary.

Smith was able to haul in six catches for 61 yards in the divisional round against the New York Giants, under this prop total, but that game had unique circumstances with the Eagles building up a 28-0 lead. While I like the Eagles to win this game, I don’t expect a four touchdown lead at half and Philadelphia is going to need to keep their foot on the gas and I’m counting on Hurts to lean on his former college teammate.

Smith averaged over 70 receiving yards per game in the regular season so this number is underselling his typical production and I also like the matchup for him against the 49ers secondary.

San Francisco was 24th in deep pass DVOA this season and we saw the Dallas Cowboys have players open downfield throughout the divisional round including CeeDee Lamb and T.Y. Hilton, and the Seahawks passed for over 250 yards in the wild card round. This secondary can be had and I believe that Smith is going to be the primary deep threat on Sunday.

Smith is as reliable as it gets for Philadelphia, and I expect him to show out with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

PICK: DeVonta Smith OVER 65.5 Receiving Yards

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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