Key Points
- SJ breaks down her three best anytime touchdown scorer bets for the December 12 matchup between the Rams and 49ers
NFL Thursday night football has arrived, and bettors are in for a real treat! With a classic NFC West divisional matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, we are for a show!
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
With both teams battling for a playoff spot, look for plenty of offense on each side. In this article, I will give my three best touchdown scorers for week 15.
With a mix of receivers and running backs, I always aim to give the best value picks. Up over three units in December, let's keep it rolling with the touchdown bets!
If you're tailing my touchdown bets for TNF, I placed all of my picks as straight bets in DraftKings Sportsbook.
Are you in search of further NFL and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here.
NFL TNF Anytime Touchdown Scorer Prediction for Week 15: Patrick Taylor Jr.
Patrick Taylor Jr. Anytime TD Odds: +165 (DraftKings)
2024-2024 NFL Stats
GP: 9 | Carries: 14 | Rushing Yards: 50 | Avg Rushing: 3.6 | Rush TD: 1 | Rec TD: 1 | Rush Long: 7 | First Down: 3
My first anytime touchdown prediction for Thursday, I placed half a unit on 49ers running back
Patrick Taylor Jr.
to find the end zone vs the 49ers tonight. You may be wondering why I chose a back who only has 50 rushing yards on the season. Here's why I love this player prop for tonight.
This time its the fourth man up?
The 49ers haven't had the best luck on the injury side, losing star running back Christian McCaffrey to a season ending knee injury. If that wasn't enough, Jordan Mason was also placed on the IR. Next in line is back Isaac Guerendo, who's questionable with a foot injury. While stating he feels "good" according to Adam Schefter, he's expected to suit up.
You know what that means. While it won't surprise me if Guerendo suits up tonight, it also won't shock me if Taylor gets the start.
- If there's one aspect to know about Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, running backs thrive in his offensive system.
Will Patrick Taylor Jr. Take Over Even If Isaac Guerendo Is Active?
Perhaps the 49ers run with a committee, or it may be solely Taylor or Guerendo. Given the back was barely able to practice a few days ago, my assumption is that Taylor Jr. will be involved in some way.
Now in his fourth NFL season, Taylor Jr. capitalized when Guerendo suffered a foot injury last week. Up 31-13, it was Taylor Jr. who scored a touchdown from the 5 yard line right up the middle. Signed off the practice quad just a few weeks ago, I now have the back to score for 6 tonight.
Overall, the 49ers score the 13th most rushing touchdowns with one per game. Over the last three weeks, they Rams have truly been terrible against the run. In fact, they are tied with the 49ers and Giants for a NFL high 2 rushing touchdowns per game over that span. While the Rams are middle of the road in stopping the run, they've allowed 9 rushing touchdowns on the year.
This is a risky play, especially since we haven't seen much of Taylor Jr. on the season. With one touchdown on the year, how can we truly base a bet off a player who has 50 rushing yards on 14 carries?
- Knowing Shanahan, I'm trusting this bet off the current injury report combined with the opposing defense.
Final Anytime Touchdown NFL TNF betting prediction: Patrick Taylor Jr. ATS (+110 DraftKings)
At plus money, the back faces a Rams defense that's been fairly decent in the red zone. Allowing opponents to score 50 % of opportunities inside the 20, the 49ers score just over 52 % in their red zone attempts. 27th in rush EPA, I'm confident Taylor will get a look tonight.
Last week, we truly saw the Rams defense get exposed like no other. With that said, Bills running back James Cook crossed the goal line for three touchdowns alone. Allowing 5 touchdowns in the last three weeks between Cook and Saquon Barkley, it's safe to say Shanahan may trust Taylor Jr. at the goal line.
Before and after Guerendo's injury, Taylor Jr. was much more effective inside the 20. With 11 rushing yards on 3 attempts, it was Taylor who averaged more yards per carry (3.7 compared to 2.5). Although the two of them combined for three touchdowns, it was Taylor who finished with 60 % of red zone rushes.
- This one is truly a gamble. Either way, I'm riding with Patrick Taylor Jr. anytime touchdown scorer for +110 odds vs the Rams.
NFL TNF Anytime Touchdown Scorer Prediction for Week 15: Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams Anytime TD Odds: -130 (DraftKings)
2024-2024 NFL Stats
GP: 13 | Carries: 251 | Rushing Yards: 1,013 | Avg: 4.0| Rush TD: 4 | Rush TD: 12 | Long Rush: 30 | First Down: 70| Rec Yards: 155 | Rec TD: 2
My second prediction for TNF, I place half a unit on Rams running back
Kyren Williams
to score a touchdown vs the 49ers. As I've mentioned in previous articles, Williams is an anytime touchdown monster! Tied with David Montgomery for the third most rushing touchdowns in the NFL (12), this is a strong play tonight.
With no true threat behind Williams, he is the main workhorse and goal line back for the Rams. I mentioned earlier his yards per carry isn't too efficient. However, it's improved over the last 4-5 weeks.
- Scoring a touchdown in all but four games, Williams has been red zone dominant. Recording four touchdowns on the ground in the last three matchups, it truly doesn't matter the opponent.
Both the Eagles and Bills have elite defenses. We've previously seen Williams plow through the Packers and Lions for a 6.
Of course, I have to brag about his matchup against the Rams in week 3. Plowing in for two touchdowns, Williams found the red zone on both three and four yard runs. Behind a strong offensive line, there are some concerns on the horizon. With Alaric Jackson and Beaux Limmer questionable for tonight's matchup, their absence would affect this prop.
- Williams additionally found the end zone for a third touchdown (receiving)
Final Anytime Touchdown NFL TNF betting prediction: Kyren Williams ATS (-130 DraftKings)
Don't get me wrong, Kevin Dotson and Rob Harvenstein have been an incredible asset to the Rams offensive line. However, it takes a strong starting five to get into the end zone that easily.
While the Rams have had some major red zone scoring woes, I'll keep riding with Williams tonight. One of my top anytime touchdown scorers, the 49ers rank 28th in rush EPA. While I made by bet before the news, Dre Greenlaw is back and active for the 49ers tonight. Adding a much needed bolster to the defense, Williams will face Greenlaw for the first time this season.
Allowing the second most rushing touchdowns to running backs with 14, can the 49ers stop the run? A rushing and receiving threat, Williams has 14 total rushing and receiving touchdowns on the season. Tallying over 85 percent of the rushing carries inside the 20, Williams has run for 156 total yards on 55 attempts in the red zone for the Rams.
- For Thursday, I'm taking Kyren Williams to score a touchdown vs the 49ers. Scoring in every matchup of his career vs the 49ers, the back has 5 touchdowns in the last two outings.
NFL TNF Anytime Touchdown Scorer Prediction for Week 15: Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings Anytime TD Odds: -130 (DraftKings)
2024-2024 NFL Stats
GP: 11 | Receptions: 57 | Targets: 78 | Receiving Yards: 774 | Avg: 13.6 | Rec TD: 6 | Rush TD: 0 | Long Rec: 45 | First Down: 38
My last touchdown prediction for TNF is one of my favorites. I placed half a unit on 49ers receiver
Jauan Jennings
to score a touchdown vs the Rams.
If you read my
NFL best bets article,
I'm hot on Jennings tonight! Mentioned previously, Jennings has emerged as both a favorite target, reception, and red zone threat for Brock Purdy. While George Kittle seems to be a top bet tonight, I'll ride with Jennings.
The fourth year receiver out of Tennessee has arrived, and we've seen flashes of potential last season. With Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey destined for the IR, now is the time for the wideout. With a career-high 6 touchdowns on the season, Jennings has three in the last four weeks. Two of those came against a less than stellar Bears defense.
Dating back the 49ers last matchup vs the Rams in September, it was Jennings who cooked up for 175 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Although without Kittle and Deebo Samuel Jr., the door was clearly open for Jennings. Considering he leads all 49ers wideouts in targets and receptions, It's a strong prediction tonight.
What's impressed me most as a bettor is Jennings ability to play in the slot and the wide. Averaging 13.6 yards per reception, he's had some fairly impressive weeks as of late. Averaging 18.7 YPR vs the Bills, he's shown he can perform vs top defenses.
Final Anytime Touchdown NFL TNF betting prediction: Jauan Jennings ATS (-130 DraftKings)
While the Rams have fairly decent red zone defense, they've given up the third most touchdowns to wideouts with 17. With 7 receivers tallying 100+ yards, that's a ton of touchdowns. Leading the 49ers with a 35.9 red zone target percentage, Jennings additionally leads all wideouts with five yards inside the touchdown.
In fact not one single receiver other than Jennings has scored a touchdown in the red zone all season. For that reason alone, I'll bank on Jennings once again tonight. The only other player to outscore him inside the 20 is tight end George Kittle, with 8 touchdowns.
With the 49ers averaging 1.2 passing touchdowns over the last three games, the Rams are allowing 1.7 in that time span.
- Officially the top wide out in San Francisco, look for Jauan Jennings to score a touchdown tonight.
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