NFL week two is approaching, and I will dive into some exciting NFL first-touchdown scoring options. One of the most risky yet rewarding types of bets, the first touchdown scorer is truly a toss-up. However, the odds are genuinely higher, which means you have the potential to cash out more.
- Along with these types of bets, I tend to place fewer units on them, especially since the odds are significantly higher.
- For example, if I place $5 on a +1600 first touchdown scoring option, the payout would be $80.
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Let's take a look into the Sunday NFL games, where I will give my best first-touchdown scorer predictions. In this article I will explain the first-touchdown scoring bet and where you can find this type of wager on most sportsbooks.
NFL First Touchdown Scorer Predictions Week 2: Raiders vs Ravens
Best First Touchdown Scorer Odds: Derrick Henry First Touchdown Scorer
- +330 odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
For week 2 of the NFL, I'm betting on Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry to score the first touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Signed with the Ravens in the offseason, Henry is yet again poised for another solid year. Set to face a 0-1 Raiders squad, the Ravens running back should have a solid matchup.
- If you're betting on the NFL, Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh has mentioned on numerous occasions that he will vary the offense, which will backup running back Justice Hill.
However, as we saw against the Kansas City Chiefs, Henry was second on the team in carries (16) behind Lamar Jackson. Beating out Hill, who for just three yards on one carry, Henry's biggest competition on the ground will be with Jackson.
Although Henry may not see the workload and carried behind coach Harbaugh as he saw in Tennessee, I can't imagine Henry losing goal line touches to Hill.
Sure, his touchdown risk immediately decreased when Henry signed with the Ravens, especially since Jackson remains one of the most elite scorers on the ground.
- In 2023, the Ravens quarterback found the end zone five times with his feet, and Harbaugh is known for changing up the offense at times. However, I love Henry's matchup against the Raiders on Sunday.
Henry didn't have the most productive outing, rushing for 46 yards on 13 caries. That's extremely uncharacteristic for Henry, who has a career average of 4.7 YPC. He took a seat back in the rushing department, watching Lamar Jackson run all over the Chiefs for 122 yards.
- Although this is primed to happen time and time again, it's Henry who I trust at the goal line.
Derrick Henry Scored the First TD in NFL Week 1
For +330 odds, I love the chances for Henry to find the end zone for NFL week 2.
- Scoring a touchdown for the Ravens against the Chiefs, there's not too many defensive lineman who can stop a 6'2 247 pound frame.
One of the more bulkier backs in the league, it was Henry who bulldozed his way through the Chiefs defensive line from the 5 yard mark and into the end zone.
In my head, I can think of a million ways the Ravens could score. In fact, I briefly pictured Jackson airing the ball out for Flowers for six. However, we need to take a look at the matchup Henry has against their opponent.
For week 2, Henry gets a Raiders defense who couldn't stop the run if they wanted to. After some questionable play calls, it was the Raiders who succumbed to the Chargers, 22-10.
- In that first NFL matchup, it was the Chargers that piled on 176 rushing offense on the Raiders. J.K Dobbins tallied 135 yard alone, with Gus Edwards trailing behind with 26.
Final Prediction: Derrick Henry (+330 FanDuel)
Although it's a sample size, the Ravens surprisingly ran the ball only on 28.7 % of their plays.
- The seventh best team red zone scoring percentage last year (62.16 %), the Ravens had nearly a 75 % touchdown scoring rate at home.
Now they get another great matchup at home, where they led the NFL is first down touchdown scoring in 14 of 17 games last year.
- With first touchdown rates over 65 percent over the last two years, I'm picking Henry to bring home another six against the Raiders.
Only the first touchdown scorer in 2/15 games for the Titans, Henry will look to lead the Ravens backfield, who totaled the most yards on the ground last season. The last time these two teams matched up in 2021, a Ravens running back (Ty'Son Williams) scored the first touchdown.
- Considering first touchdown scorer is a fun, yet risky bet, I'll sprinkle half a unit for Derrick Henry to score the first touchdown Sunday at +330 odds.
NFL First Touchdown Scorer Predictions Week 2: Saints vs Cowboys
Best First Touchdown Scorer Odds: CeeDee Lamb First Touchdown Scorer
- +600 odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
One of my favorite player props of the week, I wagered half a unit on Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb
to score the first touchdown Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Stomping over the Cleveland Browns 33-17 in week 1, Cee Dee Lamb gets a shot against the New Orleans Saints, who had an impressive showing over the Carolina Panthers.
Although a small sample size, it's difficult to differentiate if the Panthers are this terrible, or if the Saints are a decent team. Either way, the Saints get a tough matchup with the Cowboys on Sunday.
- Dak Prescott's top receiver, Lamb earned his way to a large payday this offseason.
- Through NFL week 1, Lamb did not disappoint, offering a slightly different usage then years past. Tallying 61 receiving yards on 10 targets, the former Sooner led the way in both yards and receptions.
Although it was Brandin Cooks who was the only receiver to find the endzone, Lamb has a delightful matchup for NFL week 2.
Set for another breakout year, Lamb faces a Saints secondary, who limited the Panthers to 135 yards though air. With that said, Carolina is a terrible team, and will continue to be so throughout the year. If you're betting on the NFL, Lamb is the clear number one receiver, especially now that tight end Jake Ferguson is questionable with a knee injury.
- Although we saw Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy used him as the primary receiver, it was intriguing Lamb had 25 rushing yards against the Browns.
Less than 30 Percent of Cowboys Red Zone Scorers Came From Running Backs In 2023
Last year, we saw Lamb ball out not only as a receiver, but as a first touchdown scorer.
- With bettors cashing in on Lamb, he was the clear cut first touchdown scorer in five of the 12 games played in 2023.
- Better yet, the Cowboys were the fifth best team in terms of first touch down scoring, making it happen in 11 of 17 games.
Overall, the Cowboys receiver room mainly looks similar to years past, this time without Michael Gallup Jr.
- The 12th most efficient scoring team in the redzone (57.89 %), I do believe the Cowboys will air the ball out more than anything.
With Tony Pollards departure, running back Ezekial Elliot is back with Dallas. Although Elliot found the endzone in week 1, it's truly hard to trust the backfield committee under coach McCarthy.
Final Prediction: CeeDee Lamb (+600 FanDuel)
- Again an extremely small sample size, the Cowboys air out the ball 63.5 % of their plays, compared to 36.5 % on the ground. Now CeeDee Lamb and Dallas gets New Orleans, who allowed the first touchdown to receiver Michael Gallup back in 2021.
Overall, the Saints secondary is fairly decent, especially with the makeup of Paulson Adebo, Tyrann Mathieu, and Marshon Lattimore. With Lamb mainly lining up in the slot last year, he will face a Saints defense, who allowed a 50 percent scoring percentage in redzone.
I love the +600 odds for CeeDee Lamb to score the first touchdown for the Cowboys.
- One of the more receiving dependent touchdown teams, the Cowboys only scored 24.6 percent of their touchdowns on the ground.
Look for Dak Prescott to connect with Lamb, especially a quarterback who led the NFL with 36 touchdowns. After all, we saw that 34 yard bomb from Prescott to Lamb in week 1.
NFL First Touchdown Scorer Predictions Week 2: Chargers vs Panthers
Best First Touchdown Scorer Odds: J.K. Dobbins First Touchdown Scorer
- +700 odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
One of the more riskier plays, I placed a bet on Chargers running back
J.K Dobbins
to be the first touchdown scorer Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. At +700 odds, I placed .25 of a unit on this player prop.
It was evident that Dobbins was the clear number one back for the Chargers in week 1 against the Raiders. Although the Harbaugh brothers have been known to switch things up, it's clear Dobbins had the upper hand vs Gus Edwards.
- While the Chargers will ride the hot hand, for +700 odds, I'm taking the back who destroyed the Raiders for 135 yards on 10 carries.
With the departure of receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, it's clear the Chargers will likely run the ball a ton, even with Justin Herbert at center. While the Chargers lack a bonafide star receiver, J.K. Dobbins proved he's more than healthy last week.
- Now he gets a Panthers team, who allowed the Saints to pour 47 points on them, while scoring just 10.
A pass heavy team last season, Dobbins has a decent chance to hit this prop, especially since the Panthers let the Saints run all over them for 180 yards. With running backs Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams combining for 121 rushing yards each, it's apparent Carolina has some question marks stopping the run.
- If you're looking to place a bet on this NFL prop, both Kamara and Williams scored one touchdown each. Although the first touchdown last week wasn't from a running back, I like Dobbins chances for Sunday.
Final Prediction: J.K Dobbins (+700 FanDuel)
- Middle of the pack, the Chargers had first touchdown scorers in 8/17 games last season.
Under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, I do expect there to be plenty of opportunities in the running game.
- After all, Roman led a 49ers team who averaged a 139.3 rushing yards per game, which ranked second in the NFL. Only 30 % of Chargers rushers accounted for touchdowns last season.
Although injury riddled last year, Dobbins scored the first touchdown in the lone game of the 2023 season. Back in 2022, he was the Ravens first touchdown scorer in two of the six games played. The irony? Greg Roman was the Ravens coordinator in 2022. Reunited with Harbaugh, he has some familiarity with the team.
- With 46.5 percent of their plays formulated on the ground, give me J.K. Dobbins to score the first against Carolina, who's defense is downright atrocious.
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