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NFL Anytime & First TD Scorers Picks: Bengals vs. Falcons

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Week 9 of the NFL season brings another international game as the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons meet in Madrid. Both teams enter this game after wildly different Week 8 outcomes. The Bengals beat the Tennessee Titans 43-36 in overtime at home. Meanwhile, the Falcons lost 16-0 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game where the Buccaneers didn’t complete a single pass. Here are our top NFL anytime & first TD scorers picks for Bengals vs. Falcons.

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          NFL Anytime & First TD Scorers Picks: Bengals vs. Falcons

          (Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

          Bijan Robinson First Touchdown Scorer (+350)

          After a stunning loss to the Buccaneers, in which quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 8-of-24 passes and threw four interceptions, I expect the team to lean heavily on Bijan Robinson in this matchup.

          The Bengals have allowed four rushing touchdowns over the last four games. In Week 8, Titans running back Tony Pollard ran for 117 yards and two scores on 21 carries.

          Now, Robinson, who’s handled 71.8% of the Falcons’ running back carries, is set for plenty of touches, and I could very well see the Falcons scoring first by leaning on Robinson.

          Tee Higgins Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+105)

          We all know the Bengals have a two-headed monster in Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, and matching target shares at 23.4% further emphasize that. Of the two, Chase has scored six touchdowns to Higgins’ four, but Higgins is averaging 16.9 yards per reception to Chase’s 11.4.

          Additionally, the Falcons primarily play Cover 1 and Cover 3. Against those coverages this season, Joe Burrow has completed 23 of 30 passes for 418 yards and two touchdowns to Higgins. For context, no other player has more than 15 receptions or 174 yards against those coverages, while Higgins has had plenty of production.

          With that, and getting plus-money odds, I’ll take it.

          Kyle Pitts Sr. Anytime Touchdown Scorer (+265)

          Over the last three games, Kyle Pitts has been on a tear, catching 12 passes on 17 targets for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Drake London has a 29.5% target share but only 12 receptions during that span.

          Now, admittedly, there’s a problem. The Bengals haven’t allowed a touchdown to tight ends this season. However, they’ve allowed a lot of production -seven receptions and nearly 89 yards per game. I interpret that as more luck than a superior defense keeping tight ends out of the end zone.

          Given Pitts’ touchdown run, the Bengals’ production allowed to the position outside of touchdowns and +265 odds, Pitts has some nice value here.

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