NFL Week 3 Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions: Best Bets for Sunday, September 21

NFL week 3 is here. Who's scoring a touchdown this Sunday?

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The NFL Sunday slate features nine 1 p.m. ET games, four 4 p.m. ET matchups, and a Sunday Night Football showdown featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants. There's plenty to bet on, and possibly several trap games ahead! Therefore, I'm anticipating several touchdowns to be scored today!

Key NFL Matchups: Week 3

In an AFC North divisional matchup, the Minnesota Vikings (1-1, 0-1 home) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0, 1-0 away) at home. This matchup will look a bit different, since both teams will be missing their starting quarterbacks. Joe Burrow is out with turf toe, and Jake Browning will get the starting nod for the Bengals.

J.J McCarthy has been ruled out for the Vikings with an ankle injury, leaving the Vikings' starting quarterback job up to Carson Wentz. Tabbed at a 3-point spead favorite at home, the Vikings are 2-3 vs the Bengals head-to-head since 2009.

An AFC South divisional matchup, Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1, 1-0 home) will host C.J Stroud and the Houston Texans (0-2, 0-1 away). +110 moneyline underdogs on the road, the Texans will look to avoid a 0-3 start, while the Jaguars aim to bounce back after a 31-27 loss against the Bengals.

In the NFC West, the Kylar Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (2-0, 1-0 away) will face off against division rival San Fransisco 49ers (2-0, 0-0 home) on the road. Both teams are undefeated, and 49ers quarterback Brocky Purdy (toe) is listed as questionable to lace up. Currently, the 49ers are a 2.5-point spread favorite, and the sportsbooks are predicting a close game.

AFC West: Will the Kansas City Chiefs Lose The Division?

A matchup in the AFC West, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0, 1-0 home) will host Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos (1-1, 0-1 away) at home. Undefeated on the season, the Chargers are slim 3-point favorites Sunday.

Here are the current sports betting odds for all 14 NFL matchups on Sunday! Let's take a look at my best anytime touchdown scorer (ATS) bets, picks, and predictions for the Sunday, September 21 NFL matchups! In this article, you will find out which running backs are among my favorites to cross the plane today!

Who will score a touchdown in NFL Week 3? Since this is a high-risk, high-reward bet, I advice to bet responsibly on all bets. However, when it comes to anytime touchdown bets, the risk is higher.

Are you in search of further NFL and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NFL Week 3 Best Bets: Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Sunday, September 21

Javonte Williams Anytime TD Odds: -120 (DraftKings)

2025-2026 NFL Stats

GP: 2  | Carries: 33 | Rushing Yards: 151 | Avg. Rushing: 4.6 | Rush TD: 3 | Rec TD: 0 | Rush Long: 30

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams to score a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

Williams has emerged as the clear No. 1 back for the Cowboys, recording 151 rushing yards and three touchdowns through two weeks. Playing 77 percent of the team's snaps in week 1, Williams played 72 percent of the snaps last week against the Giants.

A promising running back, Williams couldn't get things going in Denver due to injury, however, he's off to a strong start. A viable fantasy football option, he's a three down back. While he doesn't stack up to the Cowboy greats Emmitt Smith and Ezekiel Elliot, Williams is a strong back that can break tackles after the run.

Why Javonte Williams, Cowboys Have A Decent Matchup Against The Chicago Bears

In week 1, Williams had modest production, rushing for 54 yards on 15 carries in the Cowboys 24-20 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. While the rushing yards didn't stand out, his two rushing touchdowns did. Last week, Williams exploded for 97 rushing yards with a touchdown against the Giants. Mind you, that Giants defensive line is as tough as it gets.

Williams gets a prime matchup Sunday against a Chicago Bears team who's failed to thrive defensively under head coach Ben Johnson. Allowing the most points in the NFL (39.5), the Bears allow the fifth most total yards per game (382.5). To add to my point, they additionally allow the sixth-most rushing yards to backs this season (148.5).

Against the Minnesota Vikings, J.J. McCarthy rushed for a touchdown, and the Vikings tallied 120 yards on the ground between McCarthy, Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones Sr., and Justin Jefferson. Giving up 52 points to the Detroit Lions last week—the Lions recorded 177 rushing yards—and both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery scored touchdowns.

Final NFL Anytime Touchdown Betting Prediction: Javonte Williams ATS Odds: -120 (DraftKings)

• I'm taking Javonte Williams to score a touchdown Sunday. With three rushing touchdowns on the season, Dallas has an excellent red zone scoring percentage (83.3 %). This season, the Bears are giving up the third most rushing yards to running backs (123). Given the Bears allow opponents to score 80 percent in the red zone, this is a strong player prop bet today. Plus, Chicago ranks No. 19 in rush EPA. 

Jordan Mason Anytime TD Odds: -111 (FanDuel)

2025-2026 NFL Stats

GP: 2  | Carries: 24 | Rushing Yards: 98 | Avg Rushing: 4.1 | Rush TD: 0 | Rec TD: 0 | Rush Long: 19

My second best bet for today, I placed one unit on Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason to score a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

With running back Aaron Jones headed to the IR, Mason will instantly lead a Vikings back that also includes includes newly signed Cam Akers and Zavier Scott.

This is a strong prop considering both Joe Burrow and J.J. McCarthy are both out. While Jake Browning and Carson Wentz will get the starting nods, I do expect the run game to be a bit stronger today.

Now in his first season with the Vikings, Jordan Mason was an excellent fantasy and sports betting option last season for the 49ers. When Christian McCaffrey went out with injury, it was Mason who took over the lead back for San Fransisco.

Why Jordan Mason Can Score A Touchdown Sunday Against the Bengals

Mind you, he recorded 789 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in 12 games. Shut down in December due to an ankle sprain, Mason tallied three 100+ rushing yard games. Against the Jets, he exploded for 147 rushing yards last year for one touchdown.

While Mason has yet to record a touchdown this season, he did rush for 68 yards against the Bears in week 1, and 30 against the Falcons last week. While playing 54 percent of snaps in week 1, that did increase to 60 percent in week 2.

With Mason set to take over as the lead back, I'm expecting a big day for him. Although the Bengals eventually settled on a contract with Trey Hendrickson, they rank middle of the road defensively. Giving up 21.5 points per game, they've been one of the more efficient teams in stopping the run.

Ranking No. 10 in opponent rushing yards per game (94), they do allow 83 rushing yards to backs this season. While the Bengals defensive line is fairly healthy, DJ Turner II is questionable, and Cam Taylor-Brit is doubtful. Maybe that effects the pass game a bit more, however, we did see the Jaguars rush for 139 yards against the Bengals last week.

Final NFL Anytime Touchdown Betting Prediction: Jordan Mason ATS Odds: -111 (FanDuel)

Giving up a rushing touchdown to Browns running back Raheim Sanders in week 1, Cincinnati ranks No. 21 in rush EPA. Allowing opponents to score 55.56 percent in the red zone, this is a strong bet for Sunday.

• I'm taking Jordan Mason to score a touchdown today. If the Vikings can make it down to the 20 yard, or even 10 or 5 yard line, I'm confident in this touchdown player prop. 

Travis Etienne Jr. Anytime TD Odds: +134 (FanDuel)

2025-2026 NFL Stats

GP: 2  | Carries: 30 | Rushing Yards: 214 | Avg Rushing: 7.1 | Rush TD: 0 | Rec TD: 1 | Rush Long: 71

My third best bet for Sunday, I placed one unit on Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. to score a touchdown against the Houston Texans.

The Jaguars were supposed to deploy a running back committee under Liam Cohen, however, it's been Etienne Jr. who played 61 percent of the snaps in week 1, and 66 percent in week 2. Now that the Jags traded Tank Bigsby to the Eagles, now it's just Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten (Although he played just 25 percent of the snaps last week).

Top three in rushing yards this season behind James Cook and Jonathan Taylor, I'm not fading this today. With one receiving touchdown on the year, he gets a Texans defense has allowed 204 rushing yards per game and two touchdowns on the season.

Despite Texans' head coach Demeco Ryans defensive scheme, Houston gave up 169 yards on the ground against Tampa Bay, including a touchdown to Rachaad White.

Final NFL Anytime Touchdown Betting Prediction: Travis Etienne Jr. ATS Odds: +134 (FanDuel)

While the Jaguars haven't been stellar in the red zone, Houston is allowing opponents to score over 66 percent inside the 20. Plus, the Texans rank No. 23 in rush epa.

• I'm betting on Travis Etienne Jr. to score a touchdown Sunday. Brian Thomas Jr. has had an underwhelming season so far with several drops. Last season he recorded just 558 yards. In for a breakout season, he leads the Jaguars with 24 red zone rushing attempts. With Trevor Lawrence under center, he looks like the go to guy in the receiving backfield as well.