NFL Week 3 First Touchdown Scorers Picks & Predictions (2026)

by Trent Conner |
Sep 25, 2026

Someone must score the first TD 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 on Sunday's slate.

I will track my plays here on BettingPros. Let's get to the first touchdown scorer predictions for NFL Week 3!

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NFL Week 3 First Touchdown Scorer Picks & Predictions

(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bengals' offense is not firing on all cylinders, but they have not looked bad at all. Their defense has looked tremendous, however, and is not the Bengals' defense of years past. The Bengals are averaging seven points per first quarter, while the Steelers average 1.5 points in the opening frame.

Chase Brown's utilization is tremendous through two weeks. He has 36 rushing attempts and 11 targets, with eight receptions. The Steelers allow the fourth-most receiving yards per game to the running back position, and almost all of it came in Week 1 against Bijan Robinson and the Falcons. Brown should have a lot of attempts, especially as a receiver, in this matchup.

Pick: Chase Brown (+525)

Los Angeles Chargers @ Buffalo Bills

The 0-2 Chargers have looked horrible this season. Trey McBride caught nine passes for 95 yards and a touchdown against this defense in Week 1, and I expect Dalton Kincaid to have a big day this week. Kincaid is the Bills' leading pass-catcher this season with 225 yards and a touchdown. DJ Moore could miss this week with a shoulder injury so that it could be all Kincaid again.

He has received 14 targets through two games, which is 25% of the team's targets. The 26-year-old has caught 12 of them, including his lone red zone target for a touchdown. His connection with Josh Allen is strong, and he provides good value to score first in this matchup.

Pick: Dalton Kincaid (+1200)

Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys

This game is in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and it offers the highest total of the week. The Ravens could be without Zay Flowers for the second consecutive week, and the offense struggled last week. They did score their third touchdown in the first quarter this season, so they offer some value in this market. Mark Andrews is the most enticing play this week.

Andrews is seeing a 23.2% target share this season, which could increase without Flowers. I expect the Ravens to try and run the ball against the Cowboys to limit the Cowboys' offense time on the field. That likely means a lot of play action and designed plays for Andrews in the passing game. Lamar Jackson needs some help from his pass-catchers, and the Ravens should rely on Andrews this week.

Pick: Mark Andrews (+1000)

Las Vegas Raiders @ New Orleans Saints

The Raiders are 2-0 to start the season with Kirk Cousins under center, but they are leaning on their young running back. Ashton Jeanty is averaging 22 rushing attempts per game, with 13 total targets. The Saints have allowed three rushing touchdowns this season, and 4.84 yards per attempt. Jeanty should feast this week.

Jeanty is also leading the Raiders in red zone opportunities. He has nine attempts in the red zone, but has not scored a rushing touchdown. He does, however, have two receiving touchdowns on four targets. Jeanty leads the team in red zone targets and overall targets (13). They are feeding him the ball, so he should have a great chance of scoring first.

Pick: Ashton Jeanty (+550)

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