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 features the best selections for the Sunday slate.
I will track my plays here on BettingPros. Let's get to the NFL Week 6 First touchdown scorers picks & predictions.
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NFL Week 6 First Touchdown Scorers Picks & Predictions
Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers
The Cowboys are first in the league with 406.6 total yards per game, and fourth with 30.2 points per game. They struggle to score early, however. They only score 2.6 points per first quarter, and have averaged 2.6 over their last three games. The Panthers only score 3.8 points per first quarter, but they have a good matchup against the Cowboys' defense.
Dallas allows 127.4 rushing yards per game and 0.8 rushing touchdowns per game to the running back position. Rico Dowdle is facing his former team for the first time this week after a breakout game last week. He ran 23 times for 206 yards and a touchdown in Week 5 against the Dolphins, with Chuba Hubbard dealing with a calf injury. Hubbard missed practice on Wednesday and could miss the game this week. Dowdle should have a great chance to score first, with or without Hubbard.
Pick: Rico Dowdle (+700 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Miami Dolphins
Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve (IR) after injuring his ankle last week. The Chargers must fill the void and likely use a committee of Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal. Vidal only has four carries on the season, all coming last week, but they used him in the red zone. He had three red-zone carries for 16 yards last week, while Haskins did not log a single red-zone rushing attempt.
The Dolphins allow the most rushing yards (174.2) per game and struggle against the run. Vidal offers much more value than Haskins, who is as high as +800 to score first this week. The red-zone stats and the efficiency Vidal has shown in only four carries (4.5 yards per carry) are enough to take a shot on him this week.
Pick: Kimani Vidal (+1200 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns' defense has played stellar all season, but they allow 24.6 points per game. They only allow 75.6 rushing yards per game, though, the fewest in the league. They also allow the fourth-fewest passing yards (172.2) per game. The Steelers typically start fast this season, scoring 6.8 points per first quarter, averaging 6.7 in their last three games. I expect them to score first, but they may have to get creative.
One way they can get creative is by setting up screens and throwing it to the running backs out of the backfield. Jaylen Warren should return this week, but Kenneth Gainwell has earned more playing time after recording 105 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 4 before the team’s bye. Both backs average four targets per game, but Gainwell offers more value to score first this week.
Pick: Kenneth Gainwell (+1000 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 49ers have not allowed a point in the first quarter this season, while the Buccaneers allow 6.8 per game. Both teams are beat up, so workloads may be consolidated on both sides this week. Bucky Irving, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin did not practice on Thursday for the Buccaneers. Ricky Pearsall did not practice on Thursday for the 49ers, and Jauan Jennings was limited.
Jake Tonges is an intriguing play this week, with George Kittle aiming to return in Week 7. Tonges is averaging 5.4 targets per game and saw 11 last week. He also has four red-zone targets this season, catching all four and scoring two touchdowns. Tonges should remain heavily involved in the game plan, especially if they are short on receivers.
Pick: Jake Tonges (+1700 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers
Cincinnati's offense should look very different this week with Joe Flacco under center. He provides many more scoring opportunities than Jake Browning. I would still lean towards Green Bay scoring first, as they have not allowed a first-quarter point all season.
The Bengals struggle against tight ends, allowing 69 receiving yards and 0.8 touchdowns to the position this season. Tucker Kraft averages five targets per game, with 16 receptions and 14.1 yards per reception. Five targets have come in the red zone, resulting in four receptions and two touchdowns. He is Jordan Love's favorite target and should have a solid chance of scoring first this week.
Pick: Tucker Kraft (+850 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
