NFL First Touchdown Scorer Predictions: Who Will Score First Touchdown on MNF November 18th?

The Dallas Cowboys will play host to the Houston Texans in a game which is expected to be a blowout, and as we look for reasons to become interested in this game there's no further place to look but the most exciting bet in football.

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

We'll look to capitalize on the First Touchdown Scorer market with a pair of Cowboys which have been peppered with targets in a new Cooper Rush-led offense as well as one speedy Texans wideout coming off a big game.

Let's get into the best bets for first touchdown scorer for Texans vs Cowboys -- and before we do, remember that this is a highly-volatile market and odds are long for good reason.

NFL First Touchdown Scorer Predictions for Texans vs Cowboys on Monday Night Football

Rico Dowdle (+750, Caesars)

I think the Cowboys could make a game of this, in large part because they've unlocked their ground game now that they've had no choice but to shift away from a pass-heavy offense in wake of the injury to Prescott.

That brings me to Caesars, where you'll find the best odds on Dowdle to notch the game's first touchdown at +750.

• The Texans' strong defense hasn't had many sore spots this year, but one odd number has been their ninth-worst 4.6 yards allowed per carry.

Dallas has been cooking in the run game of late, averaging over four yards per tote since turning to Rush, and Dowdle has been a large reason as to why -- doing a ton with the ball in his hands despite volatile snap counts.

I could easily see a fruitful drive early in this one led by a surprisingly strong start on the ground, and it should be capped off by Dowdle.

Jake Ferguson (+2000, FanDuel)

If it's not going to be Dowdle putting a bow on an early touchdown drive by the Texans, I think the best value on Dallas' side is on Jake Ferguson.

• CeeDee Lamb still leads this team in targets in the past two weeks with Rush at the helm, but Ferguson has been the clear-cut second option.

Houston may be defending tight end position well, and I may be slightly biased towards taking tight ends to score first, but I don't think we can look past the target share here.

Ferguson has totaled 11 catches on 15 targets in the past two weeks, and while he only has five red zone targets this season two have come in the past two weeks.

I think the big man's long-awaited first touchdown of the season is coming.

John Metchie III (+2700, FanDuel)

We love a good dart throw in this market, so why not take the man who broke out in a big way last week against the Detroit Lions?

Yes, Nico Collins is back in the lineup which should take away plenty of snaps from John Metchie III, but the young speedster more than proved himself in Week 10 with five catches on six targets against a strong Lions defense.

• While it's exciting that Metchie caught a touchdown in the loss to Detroit on a short-yardage play around the goal line, I'm equally as intrigued to see if he can pull off one of his patented big plays here to reach the end zone.

Dallas has ben abysmal in the secondary, but its safeties really are to blame. Malik Hooker has had a poor season as he begins to lose some speed, and I think he may lose Metchie early in this one as the Alabama product heads for a score.