NFL Thursday Night Football best bets Week 1

The 2026 NFL season continues Thursday night with an intriguing NFC West matchup as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.

The game features plenty of star power, including Matthew Stafford , Christian McCaffrey , and Brock Purdy , while rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling provides an interesting long-shot prop opportunity. With the latest betting lines in place, here are four player props worth considering for Thursday night.

Christian McCaffrey over 59.5 rushing yards

Dec 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

McCaffrey remains the centerpiece of San Francisco's offense, and 59.5 rushing yards is a number he can clear with a solid workload.

The Rams are expected to make stopping McCaffrey one of their biggest defensive priorities, but that doesn't necessarily mean San Francisco will move away from its star running back. McCaffrey's ability to create explosive plays makes him dangerous even against a defense specifically designed to slow him down.

Stafford is coming off an incredible 2025 season in which he led the NFL with 46 touchdown passes and 4,707 passing yards. He enters 2026 as the quarterback of one of the league's biggest Super Bowl contenders, and the Rams have plenty of weapons around him.

The current market has Stafford's touchdown prop at 1.5, with the over carrying a price around -144. That makes two touchdown passes a reasonable expectation in a matchup featuring two explosive offenses.

Aug 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Purdy's passing-yardage line sits higher at other books, making 224.5 an appealing number for the over. The Rams have significantly upgraded their defense, but San Francisco should still generate enough offensive opportunities for Purdy to reach this mark.

De'Zhaun Stribling over 39.5 receiving yards

Stribling is the biggest upside play of the four. The rookie has generated plenty of buzz entering the season and is expected to have a meaningful role in San Francisco's passing attack. He has also been highlighted as one of the team's most intriguing young offensive weapons.

The matchup is difficult, but 40 receiving yards is a manageable threshold if Stribling gets consistent opportunities.

****Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.****