2023 NFL Wild Card Weekend Touchdown Scorer Player Prop Bet Picks (Saturday)
The NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday with two appealing matchups. The first contest is between NFC West division rivals as the Seattle Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers. In the two matchups this season, the 49ers won both games by eight or more points, including by 20 in Week 2. Hopefully, the third time around will be closer than the first two contests.
In the second game Saturday, the Los Angeles Chargers face the Jacksonville Jaguars. After winning their final five games, the Jaguars are in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, the Chargers are in the postseason for the first in Justin Herbert’s career. These two teams met in Week 3, with Jacksonville winning 38-10. However, Herbert was playing through a severe rib injury. The rematch this weekend should have a different outcome.
Millions of dollars will get bet on these games. However, which touchdown prop bets should you bet? Let’s take a look.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Guide >>
All props are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
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2023 NFL Wild Card Weekend Touchdown Scorer Player Prop Best Bets
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Seahawks First TD Scorer: Noah Fant (+1000)
In the Week 2 matchup between these two teams, the only Seahawks touchdown came from a blocked field goal attempt. However, Fant caught the first Seattle touchdown in the Week 15 matchup. More importantly, the veteran tight end scored the first touchdown for Seattle in two of the final four regular season games. Furthermore, a Seattle tight end has scored the first team touchdown in 35.3% of the games this season, including three of the final four contests. At 10-1 odds, Fant to score the first Seahawks touchdown is an appealing value. Yet, bettors who want a more conservative option should bet on Tyler Lockett at +475. He scored the team’s first touchdown last week and in 23.5% of the games this season.
49ers First TD Scorer: George Kittle (+475)
Over the first five years of his career, Kittle averaged four receiving touchdowns per season. However, things have been different this year. After missing the first two games this season, the star tight end scored 11 touchdowns over the final 15 contests. More importantly, he has seven touchdowns over the past four weeks, including the first San Francisco touchdown in the Week 15 matchup against Seattle. Furthermore, when Kittle missed the Week 2 matchup against the Seahawks, his backup, Ross Dwelley, had the first touchdown for the 49ers. Meanwhile, Seattle has surrendered eight receiving touchdowns to tight ends this year, the seventh-most in the NFL.
Anytime TD Scorer: Christian McCaffrey (-150)
The superstar running back played every game this year for the first time since 2019. McCaffrey scored 13 scrimmage touchdowns this season, the second-most in his career. However, his production took off once he joined the 49ers. Over the final 10 games with San Francisco, the superstar running back averaged a touchdown per game, scoring at least one in all but two contests. Furthermore, he was unstoppable against the Seahawks in the Week 15 matchup, totaling 32 touches for 138 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Seattle surrendered 18 touchdowns to running backs during the regular season, the seventh-most in the league.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Chargers First TD Scorer: Austin Ekeler (+220)
Ekeler has been arguably the best running back over the past two years, totaling 38 touchdowns in the past 33 contests. His 18 touchdowns this season led the NFL after leading the league last season with 20. After failing to score a touchdown over the first three weeks this year, the superstar running back found the end zone at least once in all but three of the final 14 contests during the regular season. More importantly, Ekeler had the first Los Angeles touchdown in 29.4% of the games this year, including two of the past three contests. Furthermore, the superstar running had as many games this season with two or more touchdowns (six) as contests without a touchdown.
Jaguars First TD Scorer: Travis Etienne Jr. (+250)
When these two teams met in Week 3, James Robinson was still on the roster, and he scored the only rushing touchdown in the contest for the Jaguars. However, Etienne finished second in total touchdowns and had the most rushing scores on the team this season. More importantly, the star running back scored the opening Jacksonville touchdown twice this year. Furthermore, the first Jaguars touchdown has been a rushing score in 29.4% of the games, including two of the final three contests to close out the regular season. Meanwhile, the first touchdown scored against the Chargers has been by a running back in 58.8% of the games this year, including four of the past six contests.
Anytime TD Scorer: Keenan Allen (+140)
Unfortunately, Allen didn’t play in the Week 3 matchup because of a hamstring injury that cost him seven games this season. However, he still finished second on the team in total touchdowns and receiving scores this year with four. Two of those came last week against an excellent Denver Broncos secondary. While Allen didn’t play in Week 3, Mike Williams scored the first Los Angeles touchdown of the game. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have surrendered 18 receiving touchdowns to wide receivers this season, the fourth-most in the NFL. Another solid option is Christian Kirk at +140. He led the team with eight receiving touchdowns, including one in the Week 3 matchup.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.