NFL Week 13 First Touchdown Scorers Picks & Predictions (2025)
Someone must score the first touchdown of the game, and this article will help you increase your odds of hitting on that player based on matchups and team strengths. It will feature a selection for each game of the Sunday slate.
I will track my plays here on BettingPros. Let's get to the NFL Week 13 first touchdown scorers.
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NFL Week 13 First Touchdown Scorers Picks & Predictions
Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are not good at scoring points in the first quarter. They rank 28th in the league with 3.3 per first quarter. The Rams are tied for the league lead, scoring 7.5 points per first quarter. They also give up the second-fewest first-quarter points (2.4).
The Panthers are also missing star cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is in the concussion protocol. That is a recipe for disaster against a team with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Adams has 26 targets in the red zone, 10 of which have gone for a touchdown. Ride the hot hand in a favorable matchup.
Pick: Davante Adams (+500 via bet365)
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
This game's first touchdown scorer could come down to who wins the coin toss. Both teams have possessed the ball first 80% of the time in their games this season. That means they elect to receive the opening kickoff. Despite allowing the second-fewest points per game this season, Houston is not so great in the first quarter.
Houston allows 4.5 points in the first quarter, while the Colts only allow three. The biggest weakness of the Texans is defending running backs, and Jonathan Taylor could easily be the best back in the league. They allow 0.82 rushing touchdowns per game to the position, and Taylor has 17 total touchdowns this season.
Pick: Jonathan Taylor (+300 via Caesars Sportsbook)
Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are tied for best in the league with 7.5 points scored per first quarter this season, while the Vikings allow 5.3 points scored per first quarter. The Vikings are also starting rookie quarterback Max Brosmer this week, with J.J. McCarthy out with a concussion.
AJ Barner has not scored since Week 5, but is second on the team among pass-catchers with eight red-zone targets. He has turned four of those into touchdowns. This game is a solid matchup for him to find paydirt again.
Pick: AJ Barner (+1300 via BetMGM)
Buffalo Bills @ Pittsburgh Steelers
These teams have similar first-quarter scoring stats, so the matchup becomes a key factor. The Bills are not a good run defense. They allow the third-most rushing yards (148.9) per game and give up 1.27 rushing touchdowns per game to the running back position.
Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren split snaps last week right down the middle, so both are solid options to score on Sunday. Gainwell offers better value and was more efficient last week, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. He also added six receptions for 30 yards. Gainwell is the running back I would bet on, given his value.
Pick: Kenneth Gainwell (+1400 via bet365)